By Kyle Horne
Last Friday, I had the absolute privilege to watch Dean Lewis take the stage at London’s iconic Hammersmith Apollo and perform to a sold-out crowd of thousands. From the moment he stepped on stage to the final, tear-jerking notes of How Do I Say Goodbye, it was a night filled with raw emotion, connection, and surprises that made it one to remember.
Opening the night was the incredibly talented Sofia Camara, who captivated the audience with her stunning original tracks, including gut-wrenching Who Do I Call Now? and unreleased track, Here We Go Again. Despite only being performed a handful of times, fans in the crowd sang every word, proving just how dedicated they are to her music. It’s clear they’re in it for the long haul, and with talent like hers, it won’t be long before she’s headlining her own world tour.
Lewis then took the stage, launching straight into Empire—a brand-new opening song for this tour. The energy in the room was electric, with fans of all ages singing and dancing along. The real stars of the night, though, were the two young boys behind me, who weren’t even above the age of ten but chanted every single word to every song. Proof, if it were ever needed, of just how universal Dean Lewis’ music truly is—let’s just hope they don’t actually relate to the lyrics!
Despite the larger venue, Lewis made every fan feel seen, effortlessly connecting with both the standing crowd and those seated upstairs—something I’ve never witnessed at the Apollo before. During Keep Me From the Cold, he passed his microphone to fans, letting them hold it while he gazed into the crowd. Moments like this made the show feel deeply personal, even in such a massive space.
For almost every track, a wave of phone lights lit up the venue as fans swayed their arms, united by his heart-wrenching lyrics and storytelling. It’s ironic—his devastating songs about breakups have actually brought people closer together.
Adding to the emotional atmosphere, a drape hung over the stage, displaying handwritten lyrics that added another layer of intimacy to the performance. The poetic visuals complemented his storytelling, making each song feel even more raw and personal.
At one point, Lewis asked fans to hold up their signs, spotting one that read It’s my birthday!. Without hesitation, he led the entire venue in singing Happy Birthday, with his Aussie accent slipping through as he laughed.
He also shared a hilarious story about how he once believed writing a hit song would surely warrant a call from Ed Sheeran—only to get a completely unexpected call from Rihanna’s team instead, asking for his song With You (which was never officially released, so he reclaimed it and performed it live this night). The whole crowd was in awe.
One of the night’s biggest surprises was when Lewis stepped off stage. Many assumed he was taking a well-deserved break, but instead, he reappeared very soon after in the Grand Circle, sitting at a small piano. From there, he delivered a breathtaking, stripped-back performance, giving fans in the upper level a rare, intimate moment in the middle of a massive show.
The instrumentalists were truly outstanding, adding even more depth and emotion to the night. His drummer, Luke Davies, delivered a phenomenal solo that seamlessly transitioned into a cover of Gracie Abrams’ That’s So True. The violinist also got her moment to shine, as Lewis stepped back and let the music take over—making the night even more beautiful.
Lewis also gave a shoutout to his dad, who was in the audience that night. It was a touching moment, especially knowing that the last song of the night, How Do I Say Goodbye, is about his dad’s battle with cancer.
Fans can’t help but feel a little jealous, though, because the next night, at Wembley Arena, Lewis invited his dad to join him on stage for a duet, playing guitar during How Do I Say Goodbye.
Now that’s a moment we wish we could’ve seen!
Just before wrapping up, Lewis reflected on how surreal it felt to be performing at these legendary venues, especially considering his first-ever London gig was to just 100 people. Now, he was selling out the Apollo and Wembley, calling this the best show of his life in eight years.
Then, came the encore: Be Alright. The entire venue erupted into song, and you could feel the weight of every lyric as fans poured their hearts into singing along.
It was the perfect way to end the night, leaving everyone with one last unforgettable moment.
Dean Lewis didn’t just perform—he created a night fans will never forget.
Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Kyle Horne/ADRENALINE Magazine. All rights reserved.
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