LIL YACHTY LIVE AT GLASGOW’S O2 ACADEMY

★★★★☆ (4/5)

LIL YACHTY PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S O2 ACADEMY
PHOTOCREDIT: ROSS WARDROP

Lil Yachty, the Atlanta rap sensation, electrified Glasgow's O2 Academy on the 2nd of May with his signature style and infectious energy. The evening was a blend of hard-bass rap separated by moments of laid-back beats, backed by an impressive live band.

Jean Dawson, a rising star with nearly 1 million monthly Spotify listeners himself, opened the night with a surprising yet engaging mix of upbeat 2000’s-style indie pop, transitioning into more intense rock towards the end of his set, which concluded with the track, ‘Power Freaks’.

A slow, built-up intro saw anticipation rise in the O2 Academy before Lil Yachty, also affectionately known by his fans as “boat”, finally walked out accompanying his all-women band of backing singers and instrumentals. They began the set with ‘drive ME crazy!’ from his 2023 ‘Let’s Start Here’ album - a song that shows off the impressive vocal range of his backing ensemble, and got the crowd going early.

The performance quickly escalated into a high-octane set, sparking lively mosh pits throughout the venue. The youthful audience was treated to a visual spectacle, complemented by mesmerising graphics and with a well-curated setlist, featuring hits like ‘Broccoli’ and ‘iSpy.’

Throughout the night, Lil Yachty demonstrated his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between energetic rap to slower songs. Tracks like "We Saw The Sun" and ‘sAy sOMETHINg’ highlighted his vocal range.

Closing the show with ‘The BLACK Seminole,’ Lil Yachty showcased his band's skill with electronic guitar riffs and soaring backing vocals, concluding the night on a high note. Overall, it was a successful and memorable performance, in the penultimate show of ‘The Field Trip’ tour’s UK leg.