On a hazy Tuesday night in London, iconic producer and artist Sam Evian played a wonderful show to a sold-out Oslo, Hackney. Back in the UK for the first time since 2019, Sam’s excitement to be back in London, and the crowd’s anticipation to see him live, were substantial. Oslo was ready for some ’60s and ’70s-inspired dream pop, and the disco ball hanging in the centre of the venue was incredibly appropriate.Â
There wasn’t a particular theme to the setlist, and Sam said that they decided to play “a mixed bag of all of it.” From closing the set with the first song he ever wrote to playing unreleased tracks, Sam really meant a mix of it all – and it was perfect. After playing the unreleased song ‘Why Does It Take So Long’ from his upcoming album Plunge, Sam said to the crowd, “Why does it take so long to get back to London?” Fingers crossed we don’t have to wait too long again!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible guitars that make up Sam’s band. Of course, Sam himself is a wizard on the instrument, and he stood alongside the impressive Brian Betancourt (on bass) and Liam Kazar (on electric guitar). All three had the crowd hanging on to every magnificent solo, myself included. The energy in the room was beautifully mellow, and the appreciation for the quality of the band’s performance was felt congruously amongst the crowd.
Sam’s musical talent did not stop at his guitar; he would periodically hop on the keys or, of course, his saxophone. Sam moved over to the keyboard to play ‘Rollin’ In’, a floaty indie-pop track also on the upcoming album, Plunge.
Further down in the set was ‘Sleep Easy’, a personal favourite of mine. This is a funky tune with a stunning acoustic guitar acting as the backbone to the track. Also a popular one amongst the crowd, everyone was singing along loudly to the catchy chorus, ‘I’m coming home now / Sleep easy…’. This track comes from Sam’s debut album, Premium. Fast forward eight years and Sam is getting ready to release his fourth, expected to be lyrically heavier than his previous outputs. After getting the opportunity to hear some of these new tracks live, it is safe to say Plunge will be a stunner.
Sam Evian will be going on a North American headline tour starting this April. Make sure to grab a ticket – it’s sublime!
