Tom Grennan @ O2 Academy (Leeds, UK) on October 11, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

It was August when we last crossed paths with Tom Grennan it was a few miles away and we were stood watching Tom play to a packed out tent as he headlined the Festival Republic stage on the Friday night. That night was the second time over the Summer we’d managed to catch Tom belting out his indie/pop to a rammed tent so it’s nice to finally catch Tom during one of the dates of his headline run but, if we’re being honest, we’re pretty lucky to get in because, by the time we arrive, there isn’t much room left in the O2 Academy for this sold-out gig.

Tom strides out onto the stage armed only with a guitar and a single spotlight for the gentle opener “Sweet Hallelujah”. Don’t worry though because it’s the calm before the storm when, as the song ends, Tom leans forward and cries out “Leeds, let’s fucking do this” before things kick off good and proper with “Royal Highness” and “Praying”. The set continues with the infectious “Make ‘Em Like You” and, while Grennan might be slightly under the weather, the energy levels are high and, you wouldn’t know by the way he bounces around the stage.

The set continues fans young and old singing along to the likes of “Sober” and, just for good measure, a double-helping of “Found What I’ve Been Looking For”. After four songs of a five song encore, the night ends with a brilliant “Patience” and, Grennan leaves the stage having shown that, while he might not look like your stereotypical “pop star”, he’s definitely up there with the best of them!

Check out Tom’s awesome track “Make ’em Like You”: