The Midnight at Hammersmith Apollo

Hammersmith Apollo hosted a night of nostalgic euphoria as The Midnight took to the stage for their fifth show in the capital. The retrowave duo, composed of singer-songwriter Tyler Lyle and producer-drummer Tim McEwan, are touring their latest album with Lelia Broussard on bass, Royce Whittaker on guitar and the sensational Justin Klunk on saxophone and synth. The band has consistently been growing their fan base, upgrading venues with each appearance, and tonight was no exception.

Opening with Heroes, the title track from their latest album, the band set the tone with a powerful 80s guitar solo that captivated the audience. The second song, Gloria, showcased the dazzling virtuosity of Klunk, with some fans even brandishing inflatable saxophones. The energy continued to rise as the frontman introduced the five-piece as “The Midnight from Los Angeles, California” and launched into fan-favourite Lost Boy.

The night was filled with gems from the band’s discography, such as Deep Blue from Monsters, with its haunting saxophone solo, and the atmospheric 80s synth-led Jason, where Broussard took the spotlight. Songs like Heartbeat and Brooklyn. Friday. Love showed The Midnight’s clear influences, with the former being an intense, uplifting – albeit slightly cheesy – anthem from their latest album, and the latter evoking the sound of Starship.

The emotionally charged The Comeback Kid featured Lyle’s poignant confession of “I’m singing it for myself too”, while Heart Worth Breaking took listeners on a journey back to more melancholic side of the pop of the 80s. Land Locked Heart featured an upbeat chorus reminiscent of the synth-pop classic We Built This City, complete with a roaring sax solo.

As the set reached its climax, the band performed Los Angeles, one of the evening’s two masterpieces. The heartwarming moment was accentuated by the fans singing along to the lyrics “And if we live forever, let us live forever tonight.” The song’s repeated mention of the group’s name echoed throughout the performance as the main set concluded.

The encore began with America 2, followed by the ultimate Midnight anthem, Sunset. The crowd-pleasing hit, with its infectious chorus “sunset, no regrets”, encapsulated the perfect balance of synths, rhythm, lyrics and singing, leaving the audience in awe of the band’s trademark soundscape.

The Midnight’s performance at Hammersmith Apollo was a triumphant celebration of their unique musical identity. While the live show featured more guitars than expected compared to their recordings, the result was a powerful, intense, and heartfelt experience. The band’s connection to their dedicated fans and their nostalgic nod to 80s guitar pop with big solos made this a night to remember. As they continue to rise in popularity and fill larger venues, one can only anticipate the magic they will bring to future performances.

Filippo L’Astorina
Photos: Ambra Vernuccio

For further information and future events visit The Midnight’s website here.

Watch the video for Land Locked Heart here: