Years & Years performing his The Night Call Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Monday 23rd May 2022



Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

The only remaining member of Years & Years, Olly Alexander, brought his eagerly awaited The Night Call tour to the Motorpoint Arena on Monday night and he delivered pop perfection with his show stopping performance.

With huge backdrop screens, well hidden musicians, talented backing singers and energetic dancers, the show was absorbing from its start to its finish. From the second that he emerged from a phone box positioned at the side of the stage, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Opening with the title track from which is effectively his first debut album, Night Call, he set the tone for the evening. Three more album tracks followed, Sweet Talker, Consequences and Sooner Or Later which swept the crowd along on a rush of adrenalin fuelled energy which kept everyone on their feet for the entire evening.

The bass heavy dance worthy Muscle showed just how wonderfully the show was choreographed, before Shine with its blast of confetti showcased Alexander’s perfect vocals, complimented by his backing singers.

His collaborations, Play and Sunlight were given an airing before Sanctify and Worship saw a line of toilet cubicles appear on stage for a very raunchy dance routine.

There was a blistering rendition of dance pop hit Desire before Hallucination saw Alexander’s face projected on the screen complete with rolling eyes in a demonic way. Slowing the tempo for the very mellow 20 Minutes and Eyes Shut which served to show just how good a vocalist he is before he performed a show stopping cover of the Pet Shop Boys hit, It’s A Sin.

Crave saw Alexander writhing around on a giant bed before the main set was closed with his 2021 single, Starstruck. Ending the night with If You’re Over Me and a power packed performance of King, there was no doubting his talent.

But whilst it was advisory that 16’s and over attend, the show meandered into a little bit of sleaze, enough to make some of the crowd leave early, which was unnecessary because musically, Alexander can knock your socks off and did for most of the crowd on Monday night.