Stormzy at Victoria Park, E9: more soulful, fragile and bigger than ever
Stormzy #Stormzy
★★★★★
“Sometimes in life you have to let the rain fall,” Stormzy proclaimed, arms aloft, as it absolutely hammered it down over All Points East. It almost felt like he had planned it. Headlining the first Friday night of the east London festival, the superstar rapper produced one of the most powerful, disinhibited performances of his career, delighted to dance in the rain. “London this is my home town. You lot are my family,” he told an adoring crowd.
It started out emotional. This was the first time Stormzy had played his 2022 album This is What I Mean to a UK crowd. It’s his most melodic to date — more soul and gospel than straight-up grime. Gone is Stormzy the imperious conquistador, lit up