EARTH (HACKNEY), LONDON
MARTIN LUKE BROWN - 16/10/25
Martin Luke Brown told The Groove he was nervous about ‘taking up space’ at his largest headline show, but last night he filled the EartH stage in Hackney with ease.
gig review
The cameo-packed evening treated its audience to performances with James Smith, Manta, and a surprise FIZZ reunion featuring all original members, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac, and Dodie. Acknowledging his creation of ‘a safe space’, MLB took fans on a cathartic journey through his catalogue, with a first set dedicated to ‘those who can’t be here’ — so quiet you could hear a can open in the bar.
After a seamless tempo shift led by an infectious band (drummer Mathew Swales may have got the loudest cheer when he stepped up for a piano solo), the room erupted into movement, with favourites ‘love is a black hole’ and ‘back 2 ya’ garnering huge singalongs.
Following a sensitive, sombre start, MLB offered London the joy and release we often come to gigs searching for.