Brent Faiyaz Concert Review – a good looking man with a sweet voice can get away with anything
Jade Loricia
On the 20th of November 2023, the cool, nonchalant sounds of alternative R&B from the DMV, came to London for a second sold-out date, just to hear how we talk.
Whilst the Maryland artist has been in the city a few times, his two nights at the Hammersmith Apollo marked his performance debut in the capital. Since his breakout in 2015, with his first EP A.M Paradox and feature on the Grammy nominated song Crew, alongside Shy Glizzy and Gold Link, the Sonder vocalist has released a multitude of projects, which has had his UK fan base eagerly anticipating his presence on a stage in front of them.
Brent Faiyaz’s headline tour would be one to promote his second studio album, titled Wasteland. A post pandemic project, with electric instrumentals contrasting the smooth acoustic sounds of Sonder Son. Primarily, the choice of venue was unreasoned. An artist of his stature could have easily sold out a larger arena.
Brent Faiyaz is no longer an underground artist, and it is insulting to his artistry and his UK fan base to host a venue fit for nine thousand guests. Tickets sold out expeditiously, hence why a second London date was added. It is not yet clear who is to blame for this grave lack of judgement, although Brent’s fans paid the price in 30-minute-long queues to enter the venue which were absurd, even for a seasoned concert attendee, - although that is a testament to the capital’s love for man that’s just ‘tryna get his papers straight’.
To the disappointment of many, on the second night, there was no opening act nor a DJ to cultivate an atmosphere. Spectators were left hot and thirsty with low volume music to entertain ahead of the headliner. After the band came out, the show began with an interlude from the album. An hour set that finished thirty minutes before the venue’s curfew is the reason I say a good-looking man with a sweet voice can get away with anything. All the qualms leading to the event were dispelled as quickly as tickets were sold once he got on the stage. With a track list comprised of songs from his projects, F*ck The World and Wasteland, to accord with the name of the tour, ‘F*ck The World, it’s a Wasteland’, as well as songs he features on. It was a show for lovers and sceptics, with couples, singletons, and friendship groups in the crowd - all singing his ballads like a rehearsed choir.
If the artist on stage cannot hold a note, or forgets their lyrics, they can always rely on the UK crowds to employ the role of backing singer or main act. This, however, was not necessary on the 20th of November. Brent Faiyaz sounds formidable in person. His microphone was most diffidently on, as his vocals, identical to the studio version, carried the emotional prowess of the archetypal male R&B heartthrob along with a stage presence that was cool, collected, and authentic.
The stage production complimented this sound perfectly. Brent Faiyaz did not need any choreography, a guest act, backing singers or a DJ at his show. My only element to disapprove was a set list that was short of songs from his debut album.
Other than that, Brent Faiyaz is exactly who he thinks he is.
Rating: 8.5/10
