Tom Grennan at the O2 Arena
Some artists feel like they’re meant for a specific generation or type of person – the case here might be that if you staunchly don’t listen to pop music and are over the age of 30, Tom Grennan may have passed you by.
This is in no way a criticism, as we’re here at a sold-out O2 on a Saturday night to see the Bedford artist, barely a month after his latest album Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be became his third consecutive number one. This isn’t even his first time headlining here… it feels like we’re in for a good show.
A huge net curtain falls, and recent single Full Attention kicks things off, with Grennan immediately making his way down the runway to say hello: “London, how are you doing?! Get your arms in the air!” Onstage are a horn section and a quartet of backing vocalists accompanying the band on a 50s-inspired set, complete with huge letters spelling out the singer’s last name, a fitting spectacle.
At times bounding up and down the runway, others holding his arms out to let the crowd sing, Grennan’s crowd interaction is on point, using every inch of the stage to ensure a good show for all. Genuine enthusiasm radiates from him (“Look at my name in lights, man!”), and he elicits 20,000 “awws” when he dedicates Crown Your Love to his baby daughter.
It’s not for a lack of effort, but the pacing feels off… for instance, the confetti cannon probably didn’t need to be fired three songs in, even if the thumping euphoria of All These Nights got the crowd dancing. It’s a strong set, from the 80s-tinged arena pop of Boys Don’t Cry to the disco beat of Certified, plus a duet between Grennan and one of the backing singers taking Ella Henderson’s part on their 2021 track Let’s Go Home Together. Arena crowds can be tough, yet this one is by no means among the worst. However, the well-meaning and feel-good vibes start to feel one-note.
Until we get to the final few songs, and, wow, the energy rockets up. It’s collabs galore here: All Goes Wrong, the 2016 Chase and Status track that began it all for Grennan, is ferocious and cues flailing arms everywhere, flames and flashing lights. Then it’s his 2022 single with Joel Corry, Lionheart, followed by Calvin Harris’s By Your Side, both feeling like the perfect tracks to lead into the “oh, oh, oh-oh-oh” singalong of Remind Me.
I Won’t Miss a Thing allows Grennan’s vocals to truly shine as only a piano accompanies him in the middle of the arena, twinkling with phone lights. Eventually, we reach the epic pop-rock conclusion Little Bit of Love, closing the night and with one last (justified) confetti cannon.
Despite the set’s pacing, Grennan gave his fans a good time. Many happy faces can be seen as thousands of people head underground to get the Jubilee line home.
Gem Hurley
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events, visit Tom Grennan’s website here.
Watch the video for Little Bit of Love here:
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