Kamal's Debut North West London Show Featuring Special Guest

Kamal opened his show to a full crowd at Islington Academy Hall on Thursday 8th June as the debut to his mixtape ‘so here you are, drawing’. The venue was filled with a mixed audience eager to see the performer on stage after support act Dexter in the Newsagent charmed them with her nonchalant charisma and humour in between songs.

From the balcony to the ground floor of the hall could hear an ovation for Kamal once he graced the stage in front of the place he calls home in North West London.

His effortless performance of ‘white wine’ had everyone singing word for word and swaying to the acoustic beats. Fans were locked in to Kamal’s performance, with his effortless way of mesmerising listeners with those soft Billie Eilish-like vocals. Production was simple but exactly what you would expect from the artist who solely focuses on music and less of the theatrics. Dark moody lighting with red and blue background hughes gave space for the disco ball on the ceiling to transport fans into Kamal’s sphere. Disconnected from the loud city outside, Kamal had the ability to bring what felt like a bedroom or tiny desk set to over 800 people.

Inviting fans into an intimate solo experience, he stripped it down to the piano and his vocals. The spotlight shone bright where he was tucked to the side of the stage, something we can only imagine is reminiscent of his younger days when his parents introduced him to music with a piano at home. What felt like a full circle moment for the 20 year old musician, he brought out a special guest who supported his skills on the keys from early days.

A previous collaboration on Dave’s ‘Mercury’ brought Kamal to work with the rapper and again on the new track ‘Our 25th Birthday’. Just a few bars after singing the angelic tones on the chorus, Dave discretely emerged onto the stage in a signature hooded uniform. Waves of excitement were felt rippling through the audience, just four days after the single dropped, fans were the first to hear the song live. Dave told the story of how he pursued Kamal’s sample for the track after hearing the piano chords and went on to shout his support for the artist. Adolescents and teens poured each lyric of the song onto the floor while Kamal swiftly transitioned into the closing tracks of the show.

It’s inevitable that Kamal has an effect on his audience like no other, his composure and talent on stage match that of a natural superstar. His magnetic energy and candid lyricism composes a young musician beyond his years vulnerable enough to deliver feelings of anxiety, isolation and heartbreak through his music.