Photo + Words: Nikisha Garrett
Blending spoken word with dance music, talented lyricist Antony Szmierek brought his Decoding Birdsong tour to Oxford’s O2 Academy on Monday night, with support from singer-songwriter Ellur. The result was an evening filled with dance, energy and connection.
Ellur set the tone for the evening with a captivating performance. Commanding the stage with confidence and sincerity, her dynamic presence and ethereal movements held the room’s gaze. She quickly built rapport with the audience, joking that everyone was invited for a “tea” of sausage and mash at her house. That warmth and sense of fun carried straight into Szmierek’s set.
Szmierek hit the stage with infectious energy, opening with ‘Chalk,’ ‘The Heron,’ and ‘Yoga Teacher.’ He blended tracks from Decoding Birdsong with fan favourites, and the crowd fed off his enthusiasm. “Oxford, are we dancing?” he called out, setting a mood that encouraged everyone to let go.
Pausing to thank the crowd, Szmierek’s self-effacing humour shone through as he described his music as “dance music with a Mancunian accent over the top of it.” His charm was effortless and genuine; when a gleeful scream erupted from the audience, he joked, “Is it this emergency, or do you just really like me?”
Bringing Ellur back to the stage for the newly released collaboration ‘Bookies Favourite’, the pair combined their uplifting personalities and shared love for performance to command the room. Dancing across the stage, their energy complemented each other. Watching them perform with such joy left no doubt that they both truly adore what they do.
The atmosphere was anything but typical for a Monday night; the academy pulsed with electric energy from start to finish. Szmierek wove through the crowd and climbed onto the O2 Academy bar, joking that this wasn’t part of his usual routine and he’d just “gone mental.” He requested a glass of water and a shot of tequila whilst he was up there. He joked, “I’m nice, I promise” as the bartender handed him a full bottle of tequila for him to take a glug from.
One of the evening’s most touching aspects was the audience’s diversity. Older couples, young families, children and groups of friends stood together, united by their enjoyment of the music. Watching people of different generations wave their arms in the air and dance alongside one another was a powerful reminder of live music’s unifying nature. Here, the audience connected not only through their appreciation of Szmierek, but through the shared experience of being in the room together.
Szmierek acknowledged this toward the end of his set, expressing gratitude for seeing individuals from such varied backgrounds and generations gathered in one place. His recognition of this collective experience captured something fundamental about live music: its power to offer a sense of belonging that transcends the differences and difficulties of life beyond the venue.
Softening the tone briefly, Szmierek shared that, through his music, he’s navigated struggles with doubt, panic attacks, and imposter syndrome over the past year. Now, he said, he’s the happiest he’s ever been.
“Go out and be a safe space for people, a safe space for women, queer people, and children. Be someone others can confide in. Spread hope.” The room was captivated as Szmierek urged the crowd to approach each day with intention, to choose kindness, and to bring light into a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. For anyone who’s ever felt lost or unhappy, as he once did, Szmierek offered a reminder: “Let’s start again tomorrow.” He brought the crowd together for a playful ‘happy new year’ countdown from ten, inviting everyone to treat tomorrow as a fresh start. His message was both uplifting and reassuring: a reminder that anyone can make a difference, become someone others trust, and help build spaces of real connection and joy, just as he did at the O2.
Riding that wave of optimism, Szmierek launched into the final two songs, his energy undiminished. The crowd, visibly moved, danced and sang along, holding onto the sense of togetherness he had carefully cultivated. As he closed the night with ‘Rafters’, it was clear that Szmierek’s performance would leave a lasting impression, sending the crowd home inspired and uplifted.
