Photo Credit: BBC Radio 6 Music / Shirlaine Forrest
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival came to an epic close at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse last Sunday, featuring standout performances from 6 Music’s SHERELLE (DJ Set), American singer Perfume Genius, and multifaceted British artist Kae Tempest.
As doors opened and the crowd gathered, SHERELLE set the tone with an electrifying mix of electronic dance, old-school jungle, and acid house rave. The energy carried through to Perfume Genius, the American alternative/indie artist known for his emotionally rich music. Delivering a dramatic and gripping performance, he captivated the audience with intense instrumental solos and expressive, fluid movements. His setlist featured ‘It’s A Mirror,’ ‘No Front Teeth,’ and fan-favourite ‘Queen’.
Closing the festival was the highly anticipated performance from Kae Tempest, who debuted exclusive new material from their upcoming album. Tempest, celebrated for their poetic and spoken word artistry, had the audience hanging onto every word with a deeply moving and powerful set. The crowd was among the first to hear ‘Diagnosis,’ ‘Prayers to Whisper,’ ‘Know Yourself,’ and ‘Till Morning’ – the latter standing out as a poignant highlight, touching on themes of adolescence and innocence.
Throughout their performance, Tempest repeatedly thanked the 6 Music team for their ongoing support, stating, “This is my purpose and my life force, it’s the greatest love of my life.” They went on to perform some of their most acclaimed tracks, including ‘More Pressure,’ ‘Firesmoke,’ and their latest single ‘Statue in the Square’. Featuring moving beats and tempos, the crowd carried the vibe throughout the night, feeding off Tempests poetic words and rhythm.
Tempest closed their set by reciting the lyrics to Brittany Howard’s ‘13th Century Metal,’ a fitting and powerful ending that mirrored the night’s themes of passion and purpose.
Taped Magazine 