By Tyler Whiting
Intimately tucked into Birmingham’s Town Hall, Olly Alexander’s Up Close & Polari tour is here to transport us to a world of pop and whimsy.
Following the recent release of his new album, Polari, Alexander is debuting on his headline tour.
While being launched to fame with band, Years & Years, and then starring in acclaimed Channel 4 show, It’s a Sin, Olly has always been a beacon in the LGBTQ+ community. From personal stories, advocacy, and support for mental health awareness, not only do Olly’s actions speak loudly – but so does his music.
The entire album feels like an intimate glimpse into Olly’s deeply personal sexuality journey, exploring much more of the singer’s feelings and thoughts than we have seen and heard previously. You can read our review of the album here.
Opening the night was Scottish indie star, Jacob Alon, with an acoustic guitar and one of the most angelic voices that captured the entire audience and drew all attention. Soaring through falsetto notes with ease, with plucked strings that brung an alternative-indie sound—you could hear a pin drop from a captive crowd.
Then, a blackout, mixed with the powerful voice you could recognise anywhere, of Ian McKellen, who recited lines of Polari. The language, adopted by gay men in the 50s and 60s as a way to communicate, and also the title of Alexander’s new album, was the perfect opener to the evening.
Mixed with the dark stage, bright flashes illuminated the silhouette of Alexander, before plunging back into darkness with the opening track, Polari. His jacket reveal was a highlight – ‘Angry Homosexual’ was stamped into the black leather with hundreds of small, silver-studded spikes.
His outfits are part of the show. A trunk filled with different pieces, lit with an interior light and mirror, added to the theatrical moment. A hat stand was also placed on stage. All of the outfits have been inspired by clothing from historical periods, with modern twists added to transport them into 20th-century high fashion.
Alexander truly lights up on stage, and the joy and excitement stirred by of one of his performances only encourage the audience to allow themselves to let go in the moment. Supported by two backing singers, guitarist, and drummer, the stage is perfectly balanced and allows the band to be supportive of each other in a way that encourages the audience to root for all on stage.
Archangel is clearly a personal anthem, speaking to everyone in pursuing dreams, and persisting despite hardship. A handful of audience members wore light-up halos for this number, which seems to be a staple for this tour, as Alexander happily praised this, engaging with these fans directly and dedicating the song to them, as well as that ‘special someone’ the song was written for.
Mixed in with the louder and prouder pop, piano acoustic takes were sprinkled throughout the evening. The live debut of Howl was a perfect example of this, the lone piano with Alexander’s vocals giving an intimate and stripped-back take on some of his most popular songs. Eurovision entry, Dizzy, is also one of these chosen few, giving us an entirely different rendition, that might be one of the best we have heard of this particular track.
It wouldn’t be an Olly Alexander tour without beloved anthem, It’s a Sin, by the Pet Shop Boys, referencing his famous role in Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, which was multi-nominated and award-winning. With flashing red lights and high-energy from both the stage and crowd, it was a peak in the performance.
Closing out the night with cult-classic, Shine, from Olly’s band Years & Years, had the entire crowd on their feet, singing along at the tops of their lungs. Ending on a high note that electrified the venue head to toe, Olly Alexander continues to make his mark as one of Britain’s best pop artists and we are eagerly awaiting for what’s to come.
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Tyler Whiting/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Chloe Morris 
Alisha Lawton 
Jack Walsh