Jeremy Loops at the Hammersmith Apollo

South African musician Jeremy Loops is a natural on-stage; bringing an uplifting and highly positive energy with his band, the chemistry is contagious.

The backdrop is a Jackson-Pollock-style artwork behind a minimally designed stage that lets the music speak for itself. Opener Loop Up is a lively and thunderous recorded mix of reverb, harmonica and beatboxing, recalling the music of The Lion King’s Elton John-penned Circle of Life. Taking us swiftly to It’s All Good, the sound engineering is of top quality.

Along with the rest of his group, the singer-songwriter is very engaged with the crowd. His bandmates on drums, bass guitar and saxophone, as well as synths, are full-spirited, the latter skipping across the stage to swap parts.

Like the sound engineer, the lighting designer understands the assignment, displaying positive vibes all round. The songs all make the audience sing, even if they’re unfamiliar with the lyrics. An iridescent highlight is The Shore, featuring rapper Motheo Moleko, who adds the final touch to an already incredible set. There are hints of other classics we all know too well; Happy Birthday is reminiscent of Kelis’s Trick Me, while Better Together recalls 90s boy bands. 

Loop dedicates Mortal Man to their former sound engineer, who passed away earlier this year, and this is also an opportunity for the singer to wish the audience well. 

This concert has it all: golden sparks, balls filled with confetti, the band handing out shots to some lucky fans at the front, while everyone yells “tequila”. Flirting with the beginnings of Down South, the frontman loops in the entire auditorium, and plays it back; the section segues into the next song, a bittersweet moment that is heard only once. Head Start has the same wonderful vitality displayed throughout the show, incorporating a stunning reverb. Plus, not just anyone can pull off renditions of Bob Marley’s Every Little Thing Is Gonna Be Alright, followed by Bill Medley’s (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life, and culminating with the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army, with thousands of fans jumping for joy. Anyone who wasn’t a fan before surely will be after attending this concert – a truly special and theatrical occasion full of vibrant energy. 

Selina Begum
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Jeremy Loops’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Down South here: