Mabel, live Review, O2 Forum Kentish Town: A guaranteed hit

More like a greatest hits set than an introduction

(Richard Isaac/REX)

Mabel might not have an official album out yet, but tonight’s sold-out show already feels more like a greatest hits than an introduction. The young star has quickly built a loyal fanbase, earning critical acclaim for her fusion of afrobeat-laced production and soulful, singalong melodies.

She storms through a set of early hits – the ‘My Boy My Town’ chorus is still undeniably massive – and choice cuts, including a medley of standouts from last year’s stellar mixtape ‘Ivy To Roses’.

Fans scream back every word and mimic every dance move, erupting into cheers when she introduces new track ‘One Shot’ with a simple question: “Who here has ever been f**ked over?” She chuckles at the deafening response, quipping: “First of all, f**k them. Second of all, I have the cure!”

Incidentally, the new track – a kind of anti-f**kboy manifesto – is one of the night’s highlights. It’s a sonic continuation of mega-hit ‘Finders Keepers’; sunny steel drums are littered throughout the uptempo track, whose chorus is quickly learned and repeated by the enthralled crowd. It’s a guaranteed hit.

Mabel powers through technical difficulties and flexes her acoustic vocals on soaring ballad ‘Ivy’; earlier in the night she runs off for an unexpected costume change and re-emerges alongside a special guest, Not3s, who joins her for the sonic one-two punch of ‘My Lover’ and ‘Fine Line’.

But the biggest reaction comes as she closes with ‘Finders Keepers’, the track she says changed her life. “The label was unsure, but you guys proved them wrong,” she grins, highlighting that success can be attained without compromising creative control