More about: (Sandy) Alex G

My first impression of Alex G’s Roundhouse show was how long the queue was at 6 PM when I was walking past to get a drink before – he came on at 9pm, and it was circling the entire building. As someone who enjoys his music, but wouldn’t necessarily describe herself as a big fan, this always astounds me. I think the beauty of music that appeals to a large audience is that there’s always someone who queues from the first sign of daylight to be at the front of the crowd. 

The thing about seeing this queue from the get-go, though, is that I felt like it was going to be a TikTok heavy gig. Alex has had a good few songs get the TikTok treatment and as an all-ages venue, it would have made sense to be exactly that. 

I had also never been to the Roundhouse before, and as a first-time visit, it did not disappoint. It’s beautifully designed for sound to reach you clearly even at the back bar, and its circular design means that you’re not crushed wall to wall of a square room. Even more than that, it means that wherever you are in the crowd you have a pretty good view of the band playing. I think this really worked in Alex’s favour – the cheer that he got when he came on was a spectacular roar, he’s a man who knows what his fans want. 

He opens with 'S.D.O.S': a keys-heavy song with an incredibly altered vocal sequence. It’s clear that the instrumentalism is important to Alex, and defines his music as it is. The thing about artists that primarily focus on bedroom pop is that they value their band and all of the elements that make a song what it is. Some solo artists have a tendency to disregard their band, or consider them an extension of themselves. Alex embraces the building blocks of music, in that without them, the gig would be impossible. He then jumps to 'Runner', and the fact he can move so quickly from keys to guitar is absolutely telling of how much he admires his music and his opportunities to perform. 

The band are incredible. We are introduced to Tom Kelly on drums, John Heywood on bass, and Sam Acchione on guitar – they get the credit they deserve, with Alex often playing with his back to the crowd, like it’s a secret to share with those playing alongside him. It feels awfully intimate to intrude on their dream, but I suppose without us it would be impossible, so I smile and dance and watch their pride enter the music they play.

The gig has a fantastic atmosphere. There’s a couple next to me, having a good boogie and twirling each other around. I could stand and watch how music is the connection that brings us all together all day long, a love language that transcends genres and boundaries. Again – Alex knows what his fans want, and if that’s having a good time at a concert and dancing with the ones you love, he’s achieved it. 

I will say: as someone who isn’t a super fan, it was easy to feel a bit out of place. Some of his songs tend to run together. Most come in at around 3 minutes, which can go very quickly in a concert setting – but because he’s playing so many, a differentiation is often hard until you reach the chorus of the next tune. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, more my personal awkwardness of being stood by people who absolutely adore this man. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the change of his sound between some songs. For the most part, I was expecting chill, bedroom-pop softness, but he has some tricks up his sleeve. 'Hope' is a midwestern emo sounding song of headbanging proportions and the change in the crowd between the range of songs is surprising. It’s a big mix of genre, setting Alex G as the musician who’s helping to define modern alternative – it doesn’t have to be all grungy guitars and incoherent vocals, but a combination of instruments and vocalisation.

He continues to captivate the crowd through the softer songs and the heavier ones, and it’s so lovely to see. People aren’t here to hear a specific sound, they’re here to see Alex G. They have come for him, regardless of the music they prefer, and it makes for such a communal feeling in the listeners: we’re all here because we love the passion and brilliance of live music, not just for a specific few songs.

See the view from the pit, captured by Adam Taylor:

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: (Sandy) Alex G