Battersea Arts Centre was completely sold out with fans buzzing with anticipation for an unforgettable night with Tom Odell. Known for his emotive performances, he once again delivered, accompanied by a full orchestra that added depth and drama to his signature sound.

The evening opened with Guy Cooper, who took to the stage with upbeat electric guitar and launched straight into a bass-heavy intro. From the very first chords, his rock driven energy filled the room. The crowd instantly vibed with his sound, especially during his song ‘New Love’ where fans passionately shouted the lyrics “I need a new love” in unison. He also performed his hit ‘Over Now’, which was met with loud cheers and clear enthusiasm from the audience.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, Tom Odell, he entered and immediately took his place at the piano. He opened with ‘Don’t Cry, Put Your Head on My Shoulder’, a hauntingly beautiful performance marked by his magical almost ethereal vocals. As he moved into ‘Can’t Pretend’ the stage lit up in red, perfectly setting a moody cinematic tone.

The venue itself added a layer of enchantment to the night, with patterns across the ceilings and walls that mirrored the elegance of the performance. About a quarter into the set, Odell played one of his most beloved tracks ‘Heal’. Hearing it live, especially the lyrics “take my mind and my pain”, felt genuinely healing. His powerful vocals reverberated off the historic walls, captivating the entire audience in a moment that felt both intimate and grand.

He then said “It’s so wonderful to be here, London,” before introducing a brand-new, unreleased track titled ‘Why Do I Always Want the Things I Can’t Have’. He shared that he and Max recorded it in a studio in North East London and although the song hasn’t been released yet, it already feels like one of his saddest and slowest pieces to date. The lyrics “I’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places / I light a cigarette, if only you were here it wouldn’t be so bad” and “I’ve been taking pills but they aren’t working” were raw, vulnerable and emotionally devastating in the most beautiful way.

The atmosphere shifted when he began speaking before ‘Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About’. The crowd was laughing and giggling as he told a story about performing in front of the King and making awkward eye contact during the lyric “the chilli’s on the stove.” His dry humour and storytelling made the moment feel genuinely intimate and personal.

During ‘Parties’ he stepped away from the piano and pointed to individual audience members while singing the lyric “and you’re the only reason.” It was one of the most interactive and playful parts of the night.

When he performed ‘Black Friday’ and ‘The End’, the energy took a deeply emotional turn. These viral songs had people visibly tearing up, and the venue felt united in a shared sense of quiet reflection. It was wholesome, raw and deeply moving.

He closed the night with his iconic hit ‘Another Love’ and the atmosphere soared. The entire room sang along, voices echoing, lights flashing and emotions running high. It was a powerful and unforgettable ending to a night filled with beauty, heartbreak and connection.

Olivia Brown

@olivia.brownphotography

Image: Darren Gwynn 

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