Only Real plays to a sell out crowd at London’s Ace Hotel

04 June 2014, 12:00 | Written by Dannii Leivers

(News)

(Only Real)

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