Live Review | Kae Tempest @ O2 Academy, Bristol

Kae Tempest | Jacob Alon

O2 Academy, Bristol

9th November 2025

Photography by Jessie Morgan

Matt Barnes

Passionate Cornish music journalist in Bristol. Often found making notes whilst crowd surfing.

With support from Jacob Alon, Kae Tempest soaks up an adoring crowd at Bristol’s O2 Academy

I can’t be the only one who looked in disbelief and excitement when they saw a bill with both Kae Tempest and recent Mercury Prize nominee Jacob Alon set to share the same stage. Every type of intense beauty covered then: ideal.

I’m pretty new to Jacob Alon’s music, but it’s safe to say that within 3 seconds of hearing that voice, I challenge anyone not to fall in love. “Bristol, You Beautiful Bastards!!” Jacob announces, arriving onstage with a guitar on their back and front and a pube on their mic before seamlessly smiling into ‘Liquid Gold 25‘ : (“A Grindr Poppers Pain song!”) A seriously raw song as the laughter dissipates into aching awe.

The crowd is so quiet you could hear a tear drop, with groans of appreciation, especially for ‘Fairy In A Bottle.‘ Jacob is jovial between songs, then puts your heart in their pocket and squeezes it with a pitch so perfect that people look to their friends for emotional support. A flawless performance of defiance, acceptance, and a voice that soothes like meditation.

Having spent some time with Kae Tempest’s new album ‘Self-Titled,‘ I’m struck by how different the live experience is compared to on record. Kae’s connection to the crowd takes over, and the baffling amount of succinct, analytical lyrics are amplified and impassioned; it feels like the words are being ripped out and set free. Both ‘Forever‘ & ‘Diagnosis‘ offer both self-analysis and world view delivered with equal power and intensity.

The words ripple and permeate the crowd, Kae makes you stop and think, constantly. He seems overwhelmed and in his element. I’ve never seen so much joy on his face and, when delivering (aptly) ‘People’s Faces,’ Tempest’s whole being is beaming with happiness. “I LOVE PEOPLE’S FACES” Kae shouts as they make eye contact with as many people as they can from the family and super fans front row mouthing every word (which is a huge achievement in itself!).

The rapturous adoration for Kae rises throughout the night; there are isolated yelps of appreciation all around, as well as prolonged spells where the crowd shows their intense appreciation. I’m not surprised Kae felt overwhelmed and held by the Bristol crowd, as I felt it too, and it felt great. As Kae was very keen to point out, there was another incredible artist on stage with him tonight, as he was lucky enough to have Lovescene vocalist Pops Roberts on keys, drums, and vocals.

The feeling in the room was not lost on them either, with wide smiles and deep appreciation for Kae to go alongside their abundant talent. Kae breaks mid-song on ‘Grace‘ to express great gratitude, offering out messages of empathy and love for us to take with us. There’s a lot to process at a Kae Tempest show.

The night ends with Jacob Alon welcomed back to the stage to perform George Michael’s version of the classic ‘Freedom‘. Tempest delivers lyrics in his spoken word style, while Alon kills it whilst harmonising with Pops Roberts – you have to be brave and extremely talented to take on a George song and nail it.

“LET ME BE LOVING” beams in bold on the screen as everywhere I look, people are hugging and kissing. This was a show packed with intense joy in the collective experience and power that Kae Tempest possesses. There is a connection between artist and fans that has bloomed and gets deeper and deeper with every show. There aren’t many that can do what Kae Tempest does.

Listen to ‘Self Titled’ here: