Dave review: British star transcends rapper status at hometown gig

"Dave mostly used his time on stage to thank his fans for the 'journey we have been on together', marking his first time performing in London in four years by announcing 'I am home'. The night felt mostly like a celebration of his musical journey, with video interludes during the performance referencing his gratitude towards those who had followed his career since he started in 2016."

"After a performance of his latest album's titular and arguably most political track, Dave did take the opportunity to acknowledge the number of young fans in the crowd, saying 'you guys are powerful, you are the future'. He added that 'we're going through tumultuous times' but urged positivity by adding 'you have your whole lives ahead of you'."

"As he seamlessly transitioned from playing the piano to the guitar, he proved that calling him a rapper was not an entirely accurate description. The 27-year-old, who won the Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act category at last week's Brit Awards, played a setlist that leant heavily on his recent number one album, The Boy Who Played The Harp."

Dave performed a sold-out London O2 Arena concert marking 10 years in the music industry and his first London performance in four years. The 27-year-old, recent Brit Awards winner, demonstrated musical versatility by transitioning between piano and guitar, challenging the rapper label. His setlist featured tracks from his latest number-one album The Boy Who Played The Harp alongside his biggest hits. Throughout the performance, Dave expressed gratitude to fans for their support since 2016, while addressing his younger audience about their potential and power during challenging times. The concert reflected themes from his 2025 album, which became his third UK chart-topper, exploring mental health, masculinity, activism, and political consciousness alongside traditional rap topics.

Read at www.bbc.com