Sometimes, the stars just align. Every now and then the circumstances around an evening just fall into place so beautifully, and last night at Castlefield Bowl was one of those evenings.
Castlefield Bowl is a gorgeous venue, and it fills slowly as the early evening progresses. There are numerous England shirts dotted about the place, a flag or two, and plenty of bucket hats: the buzz around the bowl is palpable from the second you step into the great amphitheatre. People are hyped for Loyle, but the extra crackle of atmosphere is brought on by the evening’s Euros Semi-Final. England take on Netherlands in Berlin, which kicks off just as Carner’s support act leaves the stage.
News travels fast, and there is a sense of deflation when different phones ping: the Netherlands are one up inside ten minutes. The rain even begins to fall in the bowl, flattening spirits and extinguishing hope. People crowd around phones, catching a glimpse of the match on a handful of tiny screens: before long a ripple of excitement fizzes through the crowd, its 1-1, and England are back in this thing.
People are tentatively refreshing the BBC Sport app as we collectively await Loyle’s arrival. “That cheeky fucker is waiting ‘till half time” someone says, and they’re bang right. The second the first half closed, Carner’s band stride on, quickly followed by Carner himself. There is massive elation around the bowl as Carner emerges and the crowd collectively forgets their football-based anxieties to dance.
They rattle through tune after tune, ‘Ain’t Nothing Changed’ is a highlight: Loyle Carner is pitch-perfect and doesn’t miss a beat with his flows. He has this fantastic skill of sitting ‘in the pocket’ as he performs, much like a talented swing drummer, Carner’s art of bending the beat to his will is exceptional to behold, and working with a live band and drummer makes this feat even more impressive.
So much of Carner’s work is made up of a gorgeous mix of hip-hop and neo-soul, and his rhymes are pure poetry: Carner professes his love for his family on stage, and the emotional maturity of his young son. He says that when emotional, Carner struggles to “find the right words” to communicate his feelings, but a slice of his work disputes this claim – Loyle’s words are emotionally wrought and heavy with the power they wield. He talks on his father, toxic masculinity, family love and more. Carner has wit and a forked tongue when he wants, but the raw emotion of some of his work is undeniably special: the rain is light but is indistinguishable from tears on cheeks.
‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’ is undeniably a highlight, as is ‘Still’ and a glorious new tune. The new number is strong and encompasses a brilliant jungle-style breakdown, where LC encourages his crowd to dance.
They leave after a stirring rendition of ‘Plastic’ to raptures of applause. In the short break of the encore, word spreads around like wildfire that England are winning. Carner emerges to read a gorgeous, touching acapella poem before confirming the score with someone on the front row. Castlefield Bowl erupts.
A genuinely special night, and one that doesn’t come around too often.
Words: Charlie Brock
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