Role Model’s ‘No Place Like Tour’  has been one of the most highly anticipated tours to return to the UK in the past year, and it all kicked off in London for two nights of painful but fitting cowboy boots, jokes about Tucker’s alter ego, Sabrina Carpenter of course, and questioning who on earth could possibly be Sally tonight. I was fortunate enough to be graced with tickets for night 2, and after all I’d read about the intense, exhilarating and hilarious experience that was night one, I could not wait for what I had in store. 

Opening up the show promptly at eight, we had the gracious and melodious Chloe Slater, who I’d listened to a little but never really properly heard, and yet I am so glad to get the opportunity to see her live. The highlight of her set for me had to be completely new track, released on Wednesday, ‘War Crimes’, which highlights the terror of the genocide being faced in Gaza at the minute, a brave yet raw piece that moved the audience, majorly to tears. In general, Slater’s performance felt completely fresh, a hopeful face on the scene that is bound to rise up just as quick as the likes of Wunderhorse and CMAT have in recent years. 

Then it was finally 9, when Tucker took to the stage, after a blasting backing track of ‘Bed Chem’ by Sabrina Carpenter, the ideal comical entrance that I was not surprised by in any way possible. The first song played was ‘Writing on the wall’, the opener to ‘Kansas Anymore’ and the ideal opener for a gig because the crowd lit up instantly, not only at the sight of Tucker, but because this track is so vibrant and set a buoyant vibe for the entire evening. Next up was the infectious ‘Look at that woman’, enchanting the room, groups of teenage girls with bows in their hair swaying alongside each other with tearful eyes and a wide smile. 

‘A little more time’ being on the setlist made me and other fans cheerful to see, as it’s a little older and in the running for being kicked off the setlist and never seen again, something that’s happened to fan favourite ‘forever and more’, it is the ‘Kansas Anymore’ tour after all, but it’s always nice to see a song that’s been on the setlist for years remain there. However, you do notice the voices in the crowd slowly dropping once these older, lesser known songs are being played. Shortly after, we heard ‘The Dinner’, a genuine highlight of the album which follows the theme of the album with a slight country twang about it. The witty lyricism within this track I feel, works so well and highlights the time we’re living in in a way that doesn’t come off as cringe or insensitive, we hear lyrics such as ‘I'm the child of my mother, New England-born and raised / Where the common sense is common as a nose job in LA’ followed by a beautiful chorus chanting ‘Take me home’ in the most emotive fashion, a delicious juxtaposition. 

Hearing ‘Somebody Else’ by The 1975 in the year 2025 truly took me back to being 16, however unfortunately this song was unfinished due to the vast amount of fainting and health issues within the crowd, which honestly comes with the experience of going to a gig where the majority of the audience is made up of 14-year-old girls who have been juvenilely camping for 18 hours. It was unfortunate that this song couldn't be performed to its fullest, however, it dulled absolutely nobody’s spirits. ‘Some Protector’ came along just a few songs later, and hearing the chorus of yearning, distressed screams all together was somewhat therapeutic honestly, it was clearly a highlight for many of the people in attendance. 

Soon after, the most crucial moment of the evening occurred... Sally was revealed. Everyone in the queue had put their predictions in, I had heard whispers of Matty Healy, Amelia Dimoldenberg, and even Alison Hammond. However, my ears have never been so sore as to when the real-life Niall Horan bounced onto the stage as such a passionate, dedicated feature, and the crowd well and truly, went wild. 

This night could not have been any more magical, and I cannot wait to see what else this tour, and Role Model have to offer. 

Amy Porter

 @amy.louiseporter