By Tyler Whiting
After a decade of pushbacks and trials, Billy Lockett is emerging like a phoenix from the ashes.
His sold-out Things Are Looking Up! tour is a triumph, and there’s no better way to describe it.
Huddled into the smaller venue of O2 Birmingham’s Institute 3, fans of all ages gathered—families, friends, and lovers—all awaiting the self-proclaimed ‘piano man’ to take the stage. A hum of anticipation drifted across the room on this first night of the tour, highlighting Lockett’s resilience in continuing to pursue and inspire others with his music.
Supporting Billy on this night were two artists: Afreine, the main support act, and local artist Charlie Bennett. Each took the stage with their charm and had a natural way of connecting with the crowd.
It’s refreshing to hear stories of how they once dreamed of playing this venue and how family connections inspired some of their songs.
Notably, Lockett handpicked these unsigned artists, providing them with an opportunity to perform and boost their platform. It’s inspiring to see the baton being passed to future artists hoping to make it big.
As the stage was set for Lockett, collections of candles were lit up, outlining the piano at the front and back. The main instrument for the evening featured a bright, multi-coloured pattern, waterfalling over the top, with small doodles captured within the engaging colours. A guitar stood off to the side, no doubt to be used later in the set.
Billy Lockett took the stage to rounds of applause, followed by a respectful silence for each number as the audience eagerly absorbed every second.
With a healthy amount of singing, callouts, and engagement, Lockett is a natural performer, and that energy was amplified as the set continued.
One thing to note about Lockett’s approach is his down-to-earth mentality—a natural charisma that puts us at ease. This is highlighted by his preference for smaller venues:
“Nothing better than an intimate feeling where I can see you and hear you.”
With a maximum capacity of just 250, the setting allowed both Lockett and the audience to connect and engage on a deeper level—something often lost in larger venues.
A highlight of the night was when Lockett invited Afreine back on stage for a duet.
Their voices intertwined and harmonised, accompanied only by the piano, which emphasised the strength of their vocals.
It was a spur-of-the-moment, unplanned duet—we are told—with only a penciled-in note on the setlist, likely catching the sound tech by surprise. Nonetheless, the two artists delivered a sweet and refreshing performance that fit perfectly into the set, as if it had been planned all along.
The whole tour feels like a thank-you to the fans who have supported Lockett through the years. He spoke openly about playing these same venues in the past, where he had sold less than half the tickets.
That’s certainly not the case now, only adding to the triumph of his success.
Lockett engages others with his openness, sharing his experiences with the loss of his father, addiction, and mental health. Through his music, he connects deeply with himself and his audience, giving a stage to these important conversations.
With a mix of piano, guitar, and even harmonica, Lockett offers a variety of powerful, emotive songs that span different genres.
Altogether, the night was a wholesome gig filled with great music, artists, and an audience united in celebration.
Billy Lockett’s story is truly one of an underdog, but we can’t—and won’t—stop rooting for him.
Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Tyler Whiting/ADRENALINE Magazine. All rights reserved.
Chloe Morris 
Alisha Lawton