LIVE REVIEW: Cian Ducrot – London O2 Academy Brixton

REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY DAMIEN HARVEY

On the 17th of September, I had the privilege of seeing singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot take to the stage at the O2 Academy Brixton in London as part of his Dream Ship tour. This is his biggest European tour yet, spanning 27 dates over five months, and will conclude in Dublin on the 20th of December.

Brixton wasn’t quite sold out, but honestly, that didn’t matter. From the very beginning, it became clear that Cian’s bond with his fans runs deeper than numbers. The atmosphere felt personal, raw, and at times completely overwhelming in the best way.

The show began with a dramatic build-up as the lights dimmed and the anticipation rose. Cian stepped into the spotlight, sitting down on a step to open with Who’s Making You Feel It. It was a delicate start, but soon the energy erupted. Backed by a huge band featuring trumpets, saxophones, guitars, and keyboards, the scale of the show came into focus. While Cian is a solo artist, it was obvious he couldn’t create a spectacle of this magnitude without the sheer power of his band; together they were electric.

He wasted no time before bursting into crowd favourites Little Dreaming and Heaven. Both were big sing-alongs, complete with his signature high energy and even a few air kicks, which set the tone for the night.

One of the most special moments came with The Book of Love. Cian invited a fan on stage, sitting them on his piano while he serenaded them—it was beautifully intimate, and you could see what a dream come true it was for that fan.

Later in the night, he opened up about the meaning behind No Way To Live, explaining simply, “It’s about not being a d*ck.” From there, Can’t Even Hate You was a real standout—a raw and powerful performance that showcased just how incredible his voice truly is.

Cian’s crowd interaction was top-notch. He spread the night with stories, including the background of Rock Bottom, a brutally honest tale about trying to win over a girl who ultimately ended up with his best friend. These moments made the show feel more like a conversation than a performance.

But for me, the most surprising highlight was Hallelujah. The stage was drenched in red light as Cian unleashed a rocky side I didn’t expect, complete with an absolutely jaw-dropping guitar solo from one of his band members. It was explosive and left the whole room wanting more.

The set ran for about an hour and 45 minutes with 17 songs, each one delivered with heart and conviction. He closed with I’ll Be Waiting, climbing on top of his piano as the band roared behind him. The final moments were met with a huge round of applause and a standing ovation, Cian visibly emotional as he thanked everyone.

Setlist – O2 Academy Brixton, London (17th September)

1. Who’s Making You Feel It
2. Little Dreaming
3. Heaven
4. Shalalala
5. The Book Of Love
6. Kiss And Tell
7. No Way To Live
8. Can’t Even Hate You
9. What About Love
10. Hallelujah
11. Rock Bottom
12. All For You
13. Part of Me
14. Your Eyes
15. See It To Believe It
16. Thank God You Stayed
17. I’ll Be Waiting