Branded as the sentimental face of grime, up-and-coming artist Loyle Carner effortlessly performed his debut album Yesterday’s Gone to a sold-out audience at Motion. Despite some initial technical issues, the audience was with Carner from the start of his set as he opened with the uplifting The Isle Of Arran. His charisma shone as he skipped around the stage, as pleased to see the audience as they were to see him. By continuing with the mellow Mean It In The Morning, the tone that Carner managed to establish was warm and sincere and this was complimented by his set up on stage. He moved between vintage looking rugs and armchairs and there was a sense of genuine authentic connection as he chose to share parts of his life with us.
(photo credit: https://nationofbillions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Loyle-Carner-fea…)
His family seemed present in his performance. His mum, Jean Coyle-Larner, stood behind him in a photograph as he performed his words against a family backdrop. Carner chose to share with the audience that he keeps the memory of his late step-father close to him by holding one of his shirts as he performs on stage. We felt part of his gig, as if we are watching him perform in his living room at home. This adhered to the promotion for Yesterday’s Gone which saw Carner holding album parties where he cooked dinner for guests and welcomed them into a homely, comforting and intimate environment.
(photo credit: https://i-d-images.vice.com/images/2014/11/05/2468-we-appreciate-loyle-c…)
Carner built a rapport with the crowd as he humbly asked for permission to perform his poem +44 before moving onto his more well known collaboration with Tom Misch Damselfly. There was a sense of respect and between himself and the audience as he continued with crowd-pleasers such as Stars & Shards, Florence, No Worries, Tierny Terrace and the popular Ain’t Nothing Changed. With only one album to play from, Carner did well to engage the audience. This showed the strength, versatility and likeability of Yesterday’s Gone and its ability to sustain interest. Seeing Loyle Carner live gave a new context to his songs and a new energy to his lyrics. He shared more than just his own words as he concluded with a track that was originally created by his late step-dad. Overall, Carner did well to hold the attention of the sold-out audience. He is definitely one to watch.
(photo credit: https://i-d-images.vice.com/images/articles/meta/2014/11/05/2468-we-appr…)
Listen to some of Loyle Carner’s Music here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSK1XOrBlCh1D8BPpUg-VvQ