On the 23rd of February, Yoke Lore returned to London for his headline concert for the first time in practically five years. Yoke Lore has been my favourite artist since I was in secondary school - and this year, I'm a university graduate. To say I have been eagerly awaiting this gig is an absolute understatement.
With beginning act More, the scene was set with an indie tone. Comparative to the last Yoke Lore gig he did here, it was clear he has garnered far more hardcore fans, not just from the larger upgraded venue, but from the way almost the entire crowd were screaming the lyrics back at Adrian rather than chilling against a wall with a cup of beer in their hands trying to look chill.
This is going to be a hard review to write - how many ways can you say 'it was fucking great as expected, as always, and there's nothing this person could even possibly improve on'. From the get go, it was pitch perfect. Garren, Adrian's fellow friend and drummer, bought as much energy to the stage as Yoke did - which is hard considering he's sat down for the entire thing.
However, Yoke Lore did pull all the stops this show time around. Bringing two of his friends to not only perform a new song they have coming out together, but to also film the music video for it! (Yes, I'm essentially going to be in a Yoke Lore music video... I AM losing my mind, don't worry!)
Playing all of his hits, even his cover of Truly Madly Deeply, and unreleased or new songs, one of my old favourites being Tom Robbins, the range was ever present, and loved ultimately by the crowd. And, when Adrian dances, he has a very specific dance, the Yoke Lore dance, which, and I quote someone in the crowd said, 'his legs turned to jelly!' It is an absolute key point of a Yoke show that everyone loves.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Yoke Lore is one of the only artists I will ever see more than once willingly, in fact, every single damn time. He is an insanely beautiful performer, let alone songwriter and musician. But - Yoke Lore - I am going to say it again. We NEED Tom Robbins on Spotify!
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