Charlie Puth at Hammersmith Apollo

Charlie Puth’s London stop on the Whatever’s Clever world tour delivered a masterclass in musicianship. The sold-out Eventim Apollo became a celebration of art as Puth invited the audience into his creative process.

Early in the set, the performer made a declaration about the beauty of art, positioning it as something that “makes the world go around”. The cheer that followed the question, “Are there any musicians here?”, illustrated how Puth views music as something to be shared with fellow musicians and devoted fans. Repeatedly, Puth opened his arms to attendees to encourage them to sing, but also to conduct them like another instrument, complementing his band. What makes Puth unique is the raw insight into his musical methods, such as explaining the 16 chord progressions in BOY, or how the Attention riff was initially played on the piano, but eventually switched to guitar.

Puth’s vocal agility was extraordinary, from impressively held notes to high-pitched falsettos that sounded even stronger than on record. His piano playing, improvisation and understanding of composition shone throughout. The live band and backing musicians tightly harmonised with him, bringing each song to life through a showcase of artistry. Every note felt reflected in his expressive movements.

Seamless transitions and stage design further immersed his audience. The lighting visualised the music itself, making each sustained note feel tangible as they lit up in correspondence to Puth’s voice. Cloud imagery and piercing white spotlights created a heavenly atmosphere that accentuated Puth’s angelic high notes and envisioned how “music falls out of the sky”.

Despite the mesmerising layering of sounds during hits like How Long and We Don’t Talk Anymore, the emotional centre pieces focused on One Call Away and See You Again, dedicated to lost loved ones. The jazzy band left the stage, leaving just Puth and his piano to move everyone to near silence after stripping everything back. Flashlights were raised, and the atmosphere utterly shifted to a space of vulnerability, shared grief and connection. Puth not only taught but also demonstrated the power of music, even in its simplicity.

The band was resurrected for closing song Changes, lifting the energy back up. After a pause to get someone in the crowd help, a standing ovation began as the singer bowed before leaving the stage in an England shirt. Puth transformed the Eventim Apollo into an intimate celebration of songwriting, leaving audiences inspired long after the final note.

Jennifer Hensey
Photos: Grace Tom

For further information and future events, visit Charlie Puth’s website here.

Watch the video for See You Again here: