Only Real plays to a sell out crowd at London’s Ace Hotel
On the door to Ace Hotel’s packed basement, an apologetic woman is turning people away from tonight’s packed out show from Only Real - aka Niall Galvin - a 22-year-old West Londoner and one man DIY project that started in a bedroom and exploded online.
He’s been compared to Jamie T and King Krule, but Galvin carves out his own sonic niche, melding grimy half rap-half drawls about running free in the big city with sun-soaked, jangly guitars.
“Blood Carpet” and glimmering recent single “Cadillac Girl” (a fuzzy ode to summer love) are delivered with a hyperactive theatricality and cheeky swagger. Only Real’s cocksure stage presence will make for divisive viewing, but it’s hard not to crush on something that fizzes this much with energy.
Setlist:
Blood Carpet
Punks and Potions
Beastie
Backseat Kisses
Jerk
Get It On
Cadillac Girl
Cinnamon Toast
Sign up to Best Fit's Substack for regular dispatches from the world of pop culture