Devonte Hynes AKA Blood Orange continues his Alexandra Palace residency; he does not disappoint in a stunning show in the round.

DEXTER IN THE NEWSAGENT

Hynes’ performance at Alexandra Palace is in the round. It provides a more intimate and close up performance.

Support act, Dexter in the Newsagent, stuns the crowd with her gentle voice and story telling lyrics – she’s definitely an artist I would keep an eye out for.

BLOOD ORANGE

The venue goes dark and cheers are heard from the stage entrance as a shadow passes through the crowd onto the stage. Hynes started with the first track off his new album Essex Honey, Look At You by playing one single piano key, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers and whoops as the strobe lights flash around the venue. As Devonte carried on with the first song, supporting singers, Eva Tonklin and Ian Isaiah came onto stage, greeted from the crowd by cheers and clapping. 

Jesus Freak Lighter is an absolute hit with the crowd from the moment they hear the first guitar chord. The venue erupted into flashing lights and cheers from the crowd.  ‘Champagne Coast’ filled the crowd with energy as they let go of all their problems listening to Devonte’s insane guitar solo. The room  felt filled with love and togetherness as we all sung our hearts out on a gloomy November evening. A key crowd moment for me was a group of girls standing behind me. They were dancing their hearts out to ‘Champagne Coast’ which to me really sums up how it feels to listen to this masterpiece of a song.

ESSEX HONEY

As the gig comes to a close, Hynes ends on a solo stage with a single spotlight on him. As he begins to sing Time Will Tell,  you can hear the emotion in the crowds collective voice as they sing back – upset that it was over but grateful for this incredible opportunity to witness a concert of a lifetime. He leaves the backing track of Time Will Tell playing as he turned round and thanked the crowd, leaving the stage by himself to the sound of cheers from the crowd. 

Devonte Hynes is an insanely talented, generational musician. His work should not be taken for granted, especially his new album Essex Honey. Not only is he multi talented in playing a number of instruments (piano, cello, and guitar to name a few), his vocals are next level, especially when combined with Ian Isaiah and Eva Tonklin.

As well as this, the lighting and sound are spot on. It really adds to the overall atmosphere in the venue. For this writer, growing up being beyond desperate to see him, it is a full circle moment being able to witness this musical beauty in all its glory.

Blood Orange: Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube