Ziggy Alberts at the Forum

Australia native Ziggy Alberts opened his first of two shows at the Kentish Town Forum on Friday to an exhilarated reception. Filled with a grand mix of a loyal Australian and British fanbase, both old fans and new (a poll taken by Alberts part-way through the night), each face was alight with glee seeing his nonchalant and uber cool entrance onto the stage.

Having amassed close to one billion streams across all major streaming platforms, the indie folk artist was clearly comfortable with his way around a stage. Sharing personal anecdotes throughout the show, Alberts told the crowd about his choice to turn down offers to be signed and instead starting a label with his friends and family. Admitting it was one of the best decisions he ever could’ve made, he repeatedly thanked his fans for their loyalty to his art.

It was an emotional evening filled with many of his classic hits, including Days in the Sun and Gone (The Pocahontas Song), both of which he opened the show with. The singer later performed his biggest hit Runaway with support act Stephanie Strings. A fellow Australian native, Strings is a fantastically talented guitarist and songwriter whose honey-warm folk vocals complement Alberts’s sound well.

The indie-folk headliner also surprised the crowd with a smattering of new tracks which are on their way to being released, including the heartfelt ode to his homeland, Singing for Country.

Just when it seemed the performance couldn’t get any better, the frontman vanished under the dimmed lights and reappeared on a smaller stage at the back of the stalls, delighting and surprising the audience there. His popularity was evident amongst attendees, with fans screaming along at the top of their lungs and waving whenever he looked their way.

A charming and easily likable character,Alberts is an artist so clearly bursting with a talent for songwriting that hits home for so many. From love ballads to upbeat folk tracks that get the crowd jumping, he is well on his way to becoming a household name. Watch this space.

Emily Downie
Photos: Nick Bennett

For further information and future events visit Ziggy Alberts’s website here.

Watch the lyric video for Runaway here: