Bakar Illuminates London Crowd For His Halo Tour Show at Hammersmith Apollo

Winter kicks off in West London with Bakar warming up the crowd at the Apollo Hammersmith venue on Tuesday night. The London-born artist performed his new album ‘Halo’ to over 8,000 people, a testament to his core home fanbase.

Bakar opened up in a silhouette shadow on stage within a halo-shaped ring representing the latest 11-track project. Fans exceeded expectations with their delivery of energy and support despite it being the second night of shows in the city. His dressed down ‘merch look’ was reminiscent of the young rebel spirit that was prominent among fans in the crowd. Bakar's on-stage presence was visibly infectious and impressive, from teens to couples dancing from the first song the whole way through the set.

The setlist began with “OneInOneOut” commanding the audience to listen as he remained seated on a stool facing the wing of the stage. His raw distinctive vocals shone through each song, in front of a minimal backdrop the lights changed from blue to purple creating an electrified performance through lighting production. The spotlight effects emphasised Bakar’s metaphorical halo reference. They gave space for the wavering flashlights lighting the floor to the balcony as he sang “Hate the Sun” creating an unmatched euphoric experience.

(Photo Credit: Harvey Marwood)

Bakar demonstrated the significant depth he holds within his artistry to mix genres that form his sound. I found myself lost in melodies of indie rock, post-punk, garage and rap delivery that showcased his versatility. He delivered raw emotion and charisma on stage that translated what felt like a live session of studio recordings we were lucky enough to experience in person. The synergy between Bakar and his fans was incomparable, each note was echoed by the crowd and no lyric was missed. “Selling Biscuits” was a chance to hear acapella vocals from Bakar and the fans’ call and response to the repeated lyrics.

Bakar’s natural dynamic flow and performance style developed from energetic and almost ‘festival-like’ to a more down-to-earth atmosphere as he sat at the front of the stage during “Small Town Girl”. His direct interactions with front-row fans broke up the set and reminded them of why Bakar is one of the most authentic leading artists in music bridging the gap between ‘him’ and ‘them’ as he displayed what he values most, the fans.