Tom Odell at Battersea Arts Centre
The past decade has treated English singer-songwriter Tom Odell well; from his debut EP, which earned him a BRITs Critics’ Choice Award, to his latest triumph with the viral single Black Friday, he has been – and continues to be – a beloved figure in the UK’s indie rock scene. He’s been touring nonstop since 2024 and plans to travel across the world in celebration of his upcoming album A Wonderful Life. His recent performance at Battersea Arts Centre is part of this long run of gigs, and although two years of continuous touring sounds exhausting, Odell refused to let it show.
South London’s historic Battersea Arts Centre may typically be reserved for theatre productions, but its timeless, intimate atmosphere complemented Odell’s powerful lyrics perfectly. As he and his band of highly skilled instrumentalists arrived, the stage lit up – and although the first track of the evening, Don’t Cry, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, was released only a few months ago, fans already knew every word.
Where Odell’s studio recordings are typically sombre and sweet, he proved he was born to perform, trading his soft-spoken style for a raw, intense vocal delivery. Can’t Pretend followed, continuing this momentum. Although the singer was cosied up at the piano, moments like Sparrow, which featured an excellent horn section, and Answer Phone, which included solo introductions from each band member, brought forth a theatrical, explosive side to the humble songwriter. Heal may have begun as an emotional solo performance, but it peaked with the same energy as the two preceding songs. Don’t Let Me Go, however, gently brought the audience back down to earth as Odell and his piano created a serene soundscape.
The singer treated fans to the debut of a song titled Why Do I Always Want Things I Can’t Have, and the crowd quickly connected with his lyrics, swaying and humming along in harmony. Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About and Best Day of My Life followed, with this new track fitting seamlessly among these already well-loved career highlights. Long Way Down started softly but soon reintroduced the powerful energy that had earlier enlivened the crowd.
Grow Old With Me, I Know and Fighting Fire With Fire were the highlights of the evening – Odell’s passionate, hearty vocals had incredible chemistry with the band throughout the gig, but these three moments marked the show’s peaks. His studio work typically leans towards electronic experimentation within the indie genre, but he and his band transformed these songs – especially Fighting Fire With Fire – into quintessential rock tracks.
As the main set closed with Black Friday, the audience was still begging for more. Odell and the band returned quickly to the stage, with the singer expressing gratitude for his supporters and, once again, his band. His biggest song to date, Another Love, brought the night to a close, and attendees took their time leaving the venue – some even lingering at the front to try and claim the setlist.
Despite his considerable success and demanding tour schedule around the world, Odell remained beaming and clearly ecstatic to be on stage with his immensely talented band, just as he had been throughout his entire set at Battersea Arts Centre.
Taryn Crowley
Photos: Ciara McMullan
For further information and future events, visit Tom Odell’s website here.
Watch the video for Don’t Cry, Put Your Head on My Shoulder here:
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