On November 21st 2024, Bradley Simpson concluded his debut solo tour with a spectacular performance at London’s Village Underground. Originally set to take place at Heaven, the show faced a last-minute hiccup when an incident left the venue without a license, forcing a swift change of plans a few days prior to the show. The replacement venue, Village Underground, had previously hosted two of Simpson’s earlier shows, offering a sense of familiarity but with a smaller capacity than Heaven. Despite the unexpected change, the intimate setting added a special charm to this final night of the tour which began in Barcelona, and that marked a defining moment for the artist as he unveiled a more personal and introspective side of his artistry.
Simpson captivated the sold out crowd with a setlist that blended unreleased tracks, fan favorites, carefully chosen covers and opening the night with Getting Clear, a yet-to-be-released song. Fans also sang along passionately to tracks like Cry At The Moon and Always Like This, and to unreleased gems such as Not Us Anymore and Favourite Band, offering glimpses into his forthcoming music.
A standout moment came during Holy Grail, when fans organized a heartwarming project, holding up paper hearts reading “You are our holy grail”. Bradley, squinting playfully at the crowd, joked, “I can’t even read that without my glasses,” earning laughter and cheers before sincerely thanking the audience.
Adding to the night’s charm, Bradley’s fans brought out kazoos for a playful jam session with the artist and the rest of crowd. He also took time to express heartfelt gratitude to his whole crew, including Josh and Dean, who filmed the concert – which hinted at the possibility that this memorable performance might be released in some form in the future.
As the night closed with Picasso, it was evident that Simpson’s journey as a solo artist is only just beginning. This final tour performance was not just a celebration of the end but a promise of the incredible artistry yet to come.
This whole tour also served as a preview of Simpson’s debut solo album, The Panic Years, set for release on February 28th, 2025. Featuring tracks like Cry At The Moon, Picasso, and Holy Grail, the album promises to deliver a rich blend of indie-rock, Americana, ‘80s synth and psychedelia also sparkled with pop addictiveness and deeply personal lyrics.
Simpson’s artistry will next take the stage on his 2025 UK tour, which includes his biggest headline show to date at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on May 23rd, 2025. Tickets went on general sale on November 15th.
