Intimacy and Energy: Loyle Carner Closes His Tour At The Depot

Delivering an electrifying kickstart to Depot on a two weeks ago, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn and a Children of Zeus DJ set lit the match so people were ready for when the main act took centre stage. The crowd grew, the anticipation rose. The venue set the perfect backdrop for Loyle Carner to immerse us in his personal yet exhilarating setlist bringing his tour to a memorable close.

Loyle took to the stage with commanding presence, dressed casually, as if ready to have a heart-to-heart with a few thousand close friends – which in many ways, is exactly what he did. Joined by his successful band, Finn Carter on keys, Marla Kether on bass, Mark Mollison on guitar and Richard Spaven on drums, they were ready to own the night. The opening song ‘Hate’, from his 2022 album Hugo, was accompanied by flaring red lights and crisp powerful vocals, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Loyle’s lyrics often explore personal themes surrounding family, growth and identity, topics that might seem challenging to translate on such a large scale. Yet he managed to do so with such ease and depth.

A standout moment came when Loyle performed ‘Loose Ends’, a song that delves deep into adolescence and vulnerability. The father of two spoke with pride about his relationship with his children and past fears for parenthood and how it impacted him emotionally and, in turn, also transformed his music. Dedicating this song to his son, Loyle said “I was so scared […] then he came out and he saw me, he laughs at my jokes and picks me up when I'm down […} he loves me unconditionally.”. With the crowd echoing back Carner’s lyrics to him, the warehouse lit up with a sense of unity and shared relatability.

Mid-set set Loyle acknowledged a fan from the crowd that he recognised from his previous show “he made me feel alive he made me feel hopeful” after fearing his performance was not going to plan. This private exchange between artist and fan was a truly special moment, summarising the meaningful connection that is shaped through his music. Transitioning swiftly into his top hit, Ottolenghi fans lost themselves in the moment once again, wrapping arms around one another, screaming the lyrics of their favourite track. It was exciting.

Before his farewells, the rapper took a moment to surprise everyone with an unreleased poem. The crowd fell silent in awe of his voice and emotional words. “Yo, I just sit here and right my wrongs, the only way I get to write my songs. Peace!” Fans cheering and cameras flashing the long evening had finally come to a close. As he left the stage with his arms in the air, the energy of the room was a mixture of euphoria and reminiscence, marking a night that would linger long after the final lyrics faded away.

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