The atmosphere was filled with love on Valentine’s Day as thousands of fans rushed to Glasgow’s O2 Academy to see Australia’s Dean Lewis play live. The evening was one to remember, full of unfiltered passion, connection, and surprises from the time he took to the stage to the night’s closing bar. Out promoting his third LP – 2024’s The Epilogue – tonight was always going to be something special.
Dean Lewis @ O2 Academy, Glasgow
The music kicked-off with the immensely gifted, Toronto-hailing Sofia Camara, who enthralled the crowd with her breathtaking set including tunes such as the heartbreaking Who Do I Call Now? and the unreleased Here We Go Again. The crowd’s devotion to this song was demonstrated by the fact that they sang every word, even though it had only been performed a few times. She had fans dancing as she taught them lyrics such as “Here we go, Here we go and We are running too, Running towards the end”. They obviously have the long term in mind, and with her level of talent, she will soon be leading her own UK tour.
Dean Lewis kicked off his roaring set with The Epilogue single Empire, a new opening song for this tour. An amazing atmosphere filled the room as fans of all ages joined in the singing and dancing. If proof were ever needed, it would be the universality of Dean Lewis’ music—let’s hope people don’t actually relate to the lyrics.
The 37-year-old Sydneysider easily connected with both the standing audience and those seated upstairs, making every fan feel seen despite the size of the venue. He handed his microphone to supporters during Keep Me From the Cold, allowing them to keep it while he looked out into the audience in awe. Even in such a space, moments like these gave the event a really intimate feeling.
Fans were bonded by his heartbreaking lyrics and stories, and for nearly every track, a wave of phone lights illuminated the room as they waved their arms. Ironically, individuals have gotten closer as a result of his heartbreaking songs about breakups.
A Scottish flag draped over the microphone, and Lewis himself wrapped it around his shoulders, adding to the poignant ambiance and intimacy of the tour’s lone Scottish performance. His tale was enhanced by the poetic images, which gave each song an even more unvarnished and intimate sense. With his catalogue now three LPs deep, he made room for the first cover of the evening by way of Gracie Abrams’ gorgeous 2024 single That’s So True, before exiting the stage set for what ended up being one of the night’s major surprises. The crowd thought he was taking a change of outfit break, but he soon returned, this time sitting at a little piano on the balcony amongst the seated guests. In the midst of a huge spectacle, he gave spectators in the upper level a unique, private time with a stunning performance of a trio of tunes kicking off with debut LP cut Half A Man,
Early hit Waves was delivered with gusto as the singer returned to the main stage before more from his latest LP was aired by way of All Your Lies. A cover of Goo Goo Dolls’ hit single Iris was delivered with tourmate Sofia Camara returning to the stage in a truly feel-good, singalong moment.
Prior to the final song, How Do I Say Goodbye, which is about his father’s fight with cancer, Lewis also paid a shoutout to his father. Naturally, the audience lit up the Academy with their phone flashlights. Before concluding, he thought about how great it was to be playing in such big arenas, especially since his very first performance was in front of only 100 people. At this point, the rising global star is selling out places like the O2 Academy, one of Glasgow’s top three largest indoor venues, beyond the sizes of venue he’s been achieving in his home country.
Before swiftly returning to an encore of Be Alright, which had supporters singing along and dancing till the conclusion of the night, Lewis left the stage to the boisterous chatter of No Scotland, No Party. Before swiftly returning to an encore of hit 2018 single Be Alright, which had supporters singing along and dancing till the conclusion of what was a rapturous night.
Review and Photography of Dean Lewis at O2 Academy, Glasgow on 14 February 2025 by Chloe McLelland.
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