ALFIE TEMPLEMAN PERFORMING AT SOUTHAMPTON’S 1865

★★★★☆ (4/5)

There are many ways to describe Alfie Templeman – playful, charming and adventurous. Keep these words in mind as Alfie, his band, and his support acts, brought an indie-pop sensation in Southampton, at The 1865, packing it early on with tunes, laughs and just enough cheeky banter to make it feel like a house party. A party that included a few hundred Templeman devotees and a killer lighting rig.

First up, Aqualine set the tone with their laid-back atmospheric music and chilled vibes. With their stage presence that could make a band performing at the high school of HBO’s Euphoria, their sound was dreamy and melodic with a lot of synth and reverb, layered with different tracks. As the show was their biggest one yet, despite having completed their headline tour in the UK, the band was a bit hesitant at first but quickly warmed up the crowd. Their set felt like a deep dive into an interesting soundscape – and may I mentioned we even listened to a song that has not been recorded yet, capturing the audience that supported the band in each song and encouraged them to perform, while sinking in a mellow synth paradise. It is a highly promising band and a very good match for the theme of the night.

Then came Sofy, a stark change in energy that brought a DYI pop feel to the concert. Sofy interacted with the crowd like an old friend, bringing spark and charm to the show with her cheeky lyrics and catchy hooks. While the set swinged between mellow ballads and energetic songs, Sofy’s personality definitely shown through each song, especially when the crowd laughed at her jokes. She made the room buzz with her energy, while it is to be noted that the lightshow that accompanied her set elevated the whole experience. Sofy performed ‘Desktop’, a song to be released later this month, which made her set feel familiar yet exclusive, and did a great job in preparing the crowd ahead of the main act.

The lights in the room dimmed and the crowd surged forward as Alfie Templeman and his band joined the stage, with confidence that exuded in the room. The setlist spanned fan-favourites going from ‘belter’ to ‘belter’, as Alfie himself described his songs, playful banter between the band and the audience, and songs that had the crowd dancing and singing along, such as ‘Circles’, ‘Hello Lonely’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and ‘Yellow Flowers’. With every song, Alfie’s energy was contagious, having fans bouncing and singing. Asking the crowd to dance, the Southampton crowd definitely understood the assignment. Between the songs, the teasing of the fans electrified the atmosphere, while the funky and rock n roll sounds blended in to create a fun evening for all ages. The setlist was a perfect mix of upbeat anthems and slower jams, with the band blending them seamlessly to keep the energy high through the whole set.

The whole set was a great treat, filled with personality, talent and a charm that is very rare to find in new and upcoming artists. Aqualine and Sofy brought unique flavours to the lineup, while Alfie redefined the perception of ‘pop belters’ creating a show that is a great night out, even for a Wednesday.