MICHAEL KIWANUKA: A MASTERFUL EVENING AT LONDON’S ICONIC APOLLO

LIBE REVIEW | MICHAEL KIWANUKA | LONDON O2 APOLLO 10th March 2025 by Charlie Wright

Michael Kiwanuka has become a much-loved treasure, hailed by the BRITS, MTV, and BBC. He needs no introduction. Now on his fourth record, “Small Changes,” the London-based artist took the Apollo on an emotional journey exploring moments from his entire discography.

The stage was set with an impressive screen, adding visual cues to the narrative. Elsewhere, incense was burning and dim-light lampshades created an intimate setting for stories to unfold. A full band also accompanied the artist, featuring cellos and strings, adding a new layer to his already-mesmerising tracks. From the beginning, everything felt heartfelt and carefully curated. This level of attention to detail is hardly surprising, from an artist who could provide a masterclass in album construction.

Kicking off the set, we heard from The Rest Of Me, One More Night, and You Ain’t The Problem, each supported by unique visuals spanning artsy to wholesome. As we soared through the setlist, the clever genre-mashing style that makes Kiwanuka so special became even more apparent.

Highlights from the evening included Hero, which received a roaring applause, and the gorgeous Home Again. The majority of the setlist did prioritise the new record, which in this case was to the audience’s satisfaction. However, as an added bonus, Kiwanuka gifted two encores, one which gave us the cinematic parts of Lowdown 1 and 2, then iconic tracks Cold Little Heart and Love & Hate.

This run of shows may be Kiwanuka’s first since 2022, but this impressive new setup is a joy to experience and offers a chance for people to immerse themselves in his world.