By Laura Amelia Bujauskaite
Photo Credit: Press Shots
The first leg of Alex Spencer’s biggest UK headline tour wrapped up in London at the Camden Assembly on Thursday night.
Alex Spencer performed alongside his band – Harrison Crane (keys), Will Harvey (drums), and Annabelle Mather (bass) – giving London a truly memorable experience, supported by the wonderful Daisy Veacock and Artaca. The sold-out show was definitely one to remember, solidifying Spencer’s place in the UK music scene as a rising star to keep an eye out for!
Daisy Veacock’s return to the stage, after a four-month break, supporting Alex Spencer at the Camden Assembly was an unequivocal triumph. Her unique blend of pop and jazz, reminiscent of artists like Lily Allen, captivated the audience. Her fresh take on relatable topics of heartbreak and teenage angst, made you really feel every lyric sung. An all too familiar feeling of nostalgia, guilt and acceptance overtaking you. When I Used To Spend The Night particularly evoked a sense of togetherness within the audience, chanting ‘Oh My God’ in response to Veacock. The skilful engagement with the crowd meant that Veacock was able to create an intimate atmosphere between performer and audience. Despite this being her first gig in a couple of months, it is clear that Veacock has not lost her spark as a natural performer, reaffirming her place in London’s vibrant music scene.
Artaca’s performance supporting Alex Spencer at the Camden Assembly was a dynamic showcase of candid indie rock energy. The raw emotion of Journey, and My Favourite Distraction, combined with the bold, gritty guitar, amplified the vulnerability of the music, allowing the melodies to speak for themselves. Artaca’s performance complimented Spencer’s act perfectly, establishing an authentic indie vibe. The pleasantly unexpected cover of Coldplay’s Adventure of a Lifetime was a standout moment, effortlessly turning the pop anthem into a moody indie-rock jam. Artaca’s ability to perform and adapt to different genres serves as proof of their musical talent as well as establishing them as a promising force in the indie scene.
The gig opened with the fan favourite Love and Let Go, immediately transforming the energy of the room. The 18-year-old Manchester native bewitched the intimate venue with his raw energy and natural charisma, enticing the audience to jump and sing along. His setlist featured tracks from his acclaimed EP One Step Forward as well as some of his newest projects – Wake Me Up, and Bucket List. From the opening song to the very end of the setlist, the energy was unmatched. The audience were not just watching a gig, but they were living every beat with Spencer; the overall connection between audience and performer was nothing short of electric. Spencer himself remarked that he was ‘loving [the] energy’ throughout the show. Spencer teased the idea of new music, playing unreleased songs: Clouded Thinking and Where Do We Go. His newest creations highlighted the stark improvement from his earlier pieces, illustrating his development which has been shaped by the experiences of growing up. Spencer’s new work is highly anticipated amongst fans, with hopes of another tour soon to come!
As the energy continued to ramp up, Spencer skilfully brought it down for Busking, which went about stripping things back for a bucolic, acoustic moment. This served as an ode to his roots, an appreciation of the days spent busking on the streets of Manchester before his breakthrough.
Spencer, one-to-one with the audience, created a very sentimental and intimate space, paying homage to musical legends with moments from Mardy Bum and Yellow as the audience hung on his every word, belting them back. As the band returned to the stage, the gig nosedived straight into Spencer’s hit song Nightmares. It was nothing less than a fan favourite as the audience sang every word alongside Spencer, including the Spanish verse. The contrast between Busking and Nightmares served as a testimony of Spencer’s growth as an artist – the journey from performing covers by his idols, to selling out iconic venues to headline them and having his music featured by best selling video games (FC25).
The setlist concluded with Spencer’s newest and unreleased project, Where Do We Go. Despite many fans hearing the song for the first time, the energy created was unparalleled. Hands in the air. Flashing lights. The beat thumping in your ears. The audience became one body in that moment, allowing the music to wash over them, temporarily surrendering the autonomy of their bodies and minds. Something about Spencer allows him to charm a room of people, which translates seamlessly into his music – the beat ceases your senses without warning, infatuating you with every chord and chorus. Naturally, Spencer ended the performance with his notorious backflip. As a longtime fan, Spencer’s evolution is truly remarkable. Despite his rise in popularity, he stays true to himself, embodying the same humble and down to earth lad he has been since day one.
This is just the beginning for Alex Spencer: London hasn’t seen the last of him!
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Laura Amelia/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Kyle Horne 
Jack Walsh