London attracts talent from all round the world. Tonight just happened to be South Africa’s night, as a young songwriter from Cape Town headlined The Garage in Islington. Fresh from lifting the spirits of fans in Manchester, Will Linley came ready to entertain.
The tightly packed indie venue was buzzing, and the space felt so fitting for a pop star brimming with 80s heartthrob energy. Will hit the stage sharp at 9pm. He was joined by his guitarist and drummer bandmates, and the trio were tight, as they took us through banger after banger. Will would groove and dance so freely in between vocals, it forced you to join in.
Fresh off the back of his recently released first album – Don’t Cry Because It’s Over – the theme was clear: 80s pop nostalgia in full effect. From the mullet, the tight-fitting “Honky Tonk” cropped tee, to the dance moves, Will was channeling Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, and we were here for it.
Throughout the set, Will constantly talked to the crowd, even referencing how his own mum says he talks too much. But it was impossible to be bothered by that, because he was so sincere in his appreciation for the fans that got him to where he is.
One special moment was when he shouted out his best friends that could be seen dead-centre in the crowd. He told stories of when he shared his music with the boys and how they knew he was sitting on a “smash”. I noticed an older couple next to me, and thought it was peculiar that Will’s music would be their thing. That was until Will pointed them out, they were his parents, who he said were seeing him perform for the very first time outside of South Africa.
But the highlight of the night was when Will performed “Blame”, a song he was so sure would be a “smash” but hasn’t quite taken off. As soon as the chords were struck, it felt like half the room pulled out South African flags and started waving them along. To see so many people from one nation come out in support of an upcoming artist feels like a perfect example of how music brings people together.
Will’s encore song, which he teased jokingly throughout the show for “…those that have come to hear…” was indeed “Last Call” — Will’s biggest song, and the perfect closer to a perfect night of nostalgic, quintessential pop music from the southern hemisphere’s next rising star, soaking in his moment in the big city.
0 Comments