Years & Years + Nikki Ambers + Yung Filly + 
Not3s + L Devine + Nina Nesbitt @ 1 Big Summer, Plymouth
Show Date: 3rd June 2022
So, I'll hold my hands up, this wasn't my usual kind of show as it had more of a pop vibe but I've been keen to see Years & Years live for a while and this was a local show so I opened myself up for something new and headed down to catch as much of the action as possible. After arriving and savouring every drop of my £6 can of lager, my gig (and life) partner and I set about enjoying Nina Nesbitt's cool but infectious pop sounds. The Scottish singer won the crowd over with her original material including 'Loyal To Me' and moving ballad 'When You Lose Someone' as well as a Bond-esque version of Britney's 'Toxic'. Definitely an artist on the rise to fit in alongside the likes of Robyn and Sia on an even bigger stage.
After some hyping from the stage and a few party favourites from the resident DJ we were introduced to the whirlwind that was L Devine. Like a mix of Billie Piper, Lauran Hibberd and Billie Eilish, Devine raced around the stage with breathtaking energy and a clutch of great pop songs of which 'Runnin'' was a highlight. We sauntered around the various food stalls and settled on some Greek Gyros before Not3s hit the stage to a huge roar. I've got to admit, I didn't get it. I'm not the target audience and he seemed like he was connecting with his fans - even stopping mid song to sort out a scuffle that had kicked off in the crowd - but to me it sounded a lot like an over excited wedding DJ who couldn't help but sing over parts of the song and freestyle where he thought it would work best.
Yung Filly was similarly out of my wheelhouse but, again, had the audience in the palm of his hand - calling out someone bombarding the stage with cups and cans to respect him and his crew but also blessing the crowd for their energy and applauding the "melons" of a lady in the front row. He also brought Chunkz out on stage for a trak. An unexpected performer then appeared on the stage in the shape of Nikki Ambers - a vocalist who has been through every possible version of trying to make a career in pop (from girlband to the Voice) and can more than hold her own on a big stage with a big voice and big energy all getting the crowd in the main event.
The word 'icon' is thrown about too easily these days but Olly Alexander is well on his way to icon status due to his acting as well as his musical exploits. Under the moniker of Years & Years, however, Alexander has already acheived hero status as confirmed by the sheer excitement and jubilation with which his entrance was greeted. He arrived on stage in a black phone box and then set about a performance which was part Rocky Horror, part Mad Max the musical, part Madonna's Like a Virgin tour and a whole lot of pop fabulousness. Tracks like 'King', 'Hallucination', 'Desire', 'Sweet Talker' and 'Sanctify' were all performed with pin-point accuracy as well as superb choreography including a treadmill and dancers on Heelies. A personal highlight was the titular song from Alexander's most recent acting triumph, 'It's A Sin', which started on a lonely grand piano before evolving into a full on dance banger. This was a triumphant performance from an artist on the up and enjoying every step of the journey by pushing the limits of what a pop show is. The majority of the audience absolutely lapped up a night that will live long in the memory so I, for one, am glad to have been there to witness it.
More information:
Years & Years - https://www.facebook.com/YearsAndYears
Nikki Ambers - https://www.facebook.com/ItsNikkiAmbers
Yung Filly - https://www.facebook.com/YungFilly100
Not3s - https://www.facebook.com/Not3s
L Devine - https://www.facebook.com/LDevineMusic
Nina Nesbitt - https://www.facebook.com/NinaNesbitt