Live Review: Lil Nas X at Eventim Apollo, London

His debut album, ‘Montero’, had practically infected my Spotify Wrapped playlist last year, and so I had no doubts about buying tickets to Lil Nas X’s headline show in London. I knew an evening of celebration was promised seeing the queue outside of the Eventim Apollo alone. An array of pink cowboy hats and glittery boots had congregated to witness the rising pop prince take the UK stage for the first time. 

It has been over two months since the world tour began in North America. However, Lil Nas X’s unwavering energy would convince anyone of an opening night performance. An initial projection of the 23-year-old singer’s shadow met a thunder of screams, before curtains opened to an outrageously dramatic arrangement of his earlier hit, ‘Panini’. The song contains the night’s first dance break, accompanied by a band of male dancers, equally as animated. 

Choreography highlights are encountered across the entire set. My personal favourite came in the form of a dance cover to Beyonce’s ‘PURE/HONEY’ which saw the popstar fiercely embodying his femininity, voguing in a pair of sparkling, cyan heels. 

Indeed, the show highlights Lil Nas X’s versatility, as his cooler attitude prevails during the breakout ‘Old Town Road’. We all knew the words. And still, no opportunity to elevate the live rendition was missed. Mixing the song’s instrumental with Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’ and ‘Pump it’ by The Black Eyes Peas was an unexpected but delightfully received choice. 

Despite little addressing of the audience, the atmosphere remains immersive. Whilst Lil Nas X’s spectacle could easily cater for arenas, the venue’s limited capacity of 5000 produced a theatrical essence to the gig. Its four-act structure further resembled a play, as interludes recounted the transformation of ‘The Wizard of Naz’.

This fairy-tale plot nonetheless reflects the singer’s own journey of acceptance. Since the release of last year’s smash, ‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’, Lil Nas X has become a renowned idol within the LGBTQ+ community. Queerness is now celebrated within the majority of his music videos and posts online. His show is unapologetic alike.  

Whether it be through the garish sequins on every pair of trousers or the crowd-adored kiss he shares with a dancer, the star upholds his courageous and inspiring character: “I’m happy to be here in this house packed full of people to watch me get on stage and be gay.”

My only flaw: this concert was too short. Although, truthfully speaking, I’d still be drowning in confetti butterflies if its duration was up to me.