Live Review: London Grammar in Brussels

On November 1st, London Grammar transformed a sold out Vorst Nationaal into their ‘house’ by bringing the ‘The Greatest Love Tour’ to Brussels, Belgium. The band shared how welcome they always feel in Belgium, and this time was no different. On top of the 8.000 people that filled the room, many others had been on waiting lists hoping to secure a last minute ticket.

Supporting them was Lauren Mayberry, who performed some of her biggest hits like ‘Change Shapes’, ‘Something In The Air’ and ‘Are You Awake?’. The crowd was clearly getting warmed up as they were moving and clapping along.

Next up was London Grammar, consisting of Hannah Reid (vocals), Dan Rothman (guitar), and Dot Major (keys and drums). They opened with ‘Hey Now’, a song from their first album. Hannah’s angelic voice filled the room and immediately mesmerised the audience. Between her incredible vocal control and the beautiful harmonies with the instruments, they had every single person in the crowd hanging on their every word. Although fans didn’t sing along loudly, they showed their appreciation through an ear-deafening round of applause after each song. In between songs, the artists took the time to engage with the audience, with Dot even showcasing some very fluent French.

As they moved through their set, it was clear that every aspect of the show was crafted with attention to detail. The setlist spanned their entire discography, with classic songs like ‘Big Picture’, ‘Metal And Dust’, and ‘Wasting My Young Years’ leaving the crowd nostalgic. But they were just as eager to hear tracks from their latest album, like ‘House’ and ‘Kind Of Man’, which showcased the band’s evolving sound. Some songs were performed in their original form, soft and soulful, while others got a more electronic twist, sending rhythms through the crowd and stirring them to dance. Visuals painted the screens with shifting colours – abstract shapes, dreamlike clips, and live footage captured by drones that circled the band, catching each moment from every angle. The lights ranged from gentle, pastel hues to bold laser displays that accentuated the high-energy moments, complementing the emotional highs and lows of the evening.

An hour passed like seconds and then the band walked off stage, leaving the fans yearning for an encore. Their clapping and shouting was rewarded with three more songs. Among them was, of course, ‘Strong’, one of London Grammar’s most well-known songs. They closed with a powerful, electronic remix of ‘Lose Your Head’, during which the laser lights were in full effect and the artists showed off their talent one last time. As the final notes faded and the lights softened, the crowd erupted into cheers and delivered one last thunderous applause, while the band gathered in the centre of the stage for a final bow.

Written by: Kaat Steukers

Photographed by: Kaat Steukers

Edited by: Nèri Cliteur