Indie rising star Alfie Templeman delivered an energetic and soulful performance for the final night of his UK tour at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on Monday 18 November.
Having left school at 16 to pursue music full time, Londoner Templeman has since released two studio albums and was named an MTV Push UK 2021 finalist.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter released his second studio album Radiosoul in June 2024 and it peaked at number three on the UK indie chart.
The young musician’s live renditions are often more electric and soulful, at times leaning into rock, such as his opening song 3D Feelings, which was well received by the roaring crowd in Kentish Town.
It was an attention-grabbing and interactive opener with lots of colourful flashing lights and movement from the band which really set an upbeat tone for the rest of the night.
A highlight of the set was Things I Thought Were Mine.
This tune was a funky and engaging performance that saw Templeman at his best – electrifying, wacky guitar instrumentals and smooth vocals.
The song was an eclectic mixture of laid-back conversational vocals, a contrasting falsetto in the chorus, jangly tones and wonky synth sounds yet the production is polished enough to feel intentional and well crafted.
Another standout moment came with Just A Dance, which features, and is co-produced by, global icon and musical innovator Nile Rodgers.
It was an aptly named song and a definite crowd mover due to its fast-paced trippy disco beat.
The track features Rodger’s signature guitar-chucking style, catchy lyrics and an impressive harmonisation between Templeman and the instrumental.
Sonically, Templeman told Dork Magazine “[Radiosoul] is incohesively cohesive.”
The same can be said about his discography, an experimental but crafted blend of indie pop, R&B, disco and rock.
From start to finish, the crowd were dancing and the atmosphere was undeniably euphoric.
The crowd was very diverse, with the expected young female fans and couples, but surprisingly many parents and middle-aged friends were also in attendance.
As a multi-instrumentalist, what was most compelling about Templeman’s performance was his incorporation of vocal runs and the flexibility of his voice.
For an artist so young and early in his career, Templeman commanded the stage and completely made it his own.
Templeman took the audience on an immersive musical journey, solidifying his reputation as one of the most innovative and dynamic artists in the indie scene today.
TV screens adorned the stage displaying visuals of iconic moments from Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Studio Ghibli and other arthouse films as well as very colourful psychedelic videos.
As a creative decision, they strongly complimented the respective songs being performed.
Templeman’s band were integral to captivating the audience and maintaining the vibrant atmosphere.
Band members Jos Shepherd, Cam Owden and Adam Philip delivered dynamic instrumentals and mesmerising guitar solos.
Opener SOFY brought an infectious energy to the stage, with one crowd member describing her as 50 Cent crossed with Lily Allen.
The jury is still out on that comparison but nonetheless SOFY is definitely one to watch in the indie-pop space.
The show was also opened by other indie artists Siobhán Winifred and Semwanga who both gave equally charismatic performances.
It was an entertaining showcase of emerging talent.
It was a very cold and rainy Monday, but Templeman and his team made sure that it was a worthwhile and unforgettable night.
Clearly adept in taking the audience by storm, the young singer-songwriter certainly has an impressive career ahead.
Picture credit: Melvin Boateng
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