Tom Walker at Koko

Koko, the historic Camden music venue, awaited Tom Walker’s return to the stage for the first time since the pandemic. The energy in the packed room was palpable, with fans singing along to every word, especially during the crowd favourite Just You and I.

The show kicked off with an energetic start, Walker encouraging the crowd to jump around during the instrumental parts of Not Giving In and Seratonin. In between the two songs, he shouted, “I f***kin wanna see you moving. I want to see you shifting. I want to see you raving.” The atmosphere soon transformed into a calmer, more intimate vibe, as Walker performed a series of ballads from his three albums, including The Best Is Yet to Come, during which he displayed his sense of humour, joking about the numerous songs he’s written about his fiancée saying, “This next song is about my missus. Even she’s getting f***in bored of (the songs about her) it at this point?”

As the concert progressed, fans held up their phones, lighting the venue with a sea of twinkling lights. Walker’s gratitude for being back on stage was evident when he said, “I can’t tell you how f***in amazing it is to be back on stage. I’ve had a nightmare, I’ve just been singing in the shower.” This touching remark was a reference to the time that had passed since his previous London performance in Brixton back in 2019.

The show took an emotional turn when Walker dedicated Just You and I to his fiancée, reminiscing about their humble beginnings and the song’s significance in their relationship. He said, “Where’s the love of my life? We’re getting married in a month. When I met her, I was giving out leaflets on cycling safety. Didn’t have a penny to my name. I wrote this song when we moved in. Lots of people have got married to this song. As much as you lot think it’s about you, it’s not, it’s about that lady up there.” The crowd passionately sang the ending of the song, creating a memorable and touching moment.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the closing song Leave a Light On, during which the crowd’s singing nearly overpowered the band’s performance. Although the show wasn’t the most musically diverse, the positive energy and upbeat mood made it an unforgettable experience for those in attendance. It’s clear that Tom Walker’s fans are thrilled to have him back on stage, and his future performances are sure to be highly anticipated.

Mike Garnell
Photos: Mike Garnell

For further information and future events visit Tom Walker’s website here.

Watch the video for The Best Is Yet to Come here: