Event Review: Destroy Lonely Ignites Wembley Arena Stage

On Wednesday, in the wake of fellow Opium signee Playboi Carti ’s earth shattering album release and Rolling Loud headline set, Destroy Lonely brought the rage to London. Before Lone was on stage, DJ blak boy played a half-hour set of Destroy Lonely adjacent tunes, with those off I AM MUSIC getting the most grateful reception. However, the crowd swelled with anticipation even before the DJ set.

The stage set-up was sparse with Lone rapping on a platform from behind bursts of dry ice and fervent strobe. He opened with FOREVER – the intro song to the solid 2024 release LOVE LASTS FOREVER. The heavenly All Saints sample set the crowd up well – a brief moment of calm before the ensuing futurist storm. In fact, most of the songs from this release yielded intense energy from the crowd. LOVE HURTS, SIPPIN SYRUP and the opener were all highlights, which is not surprising given the album’s more direct sound. 

Second was the older cut ‘how u feel?’ which really evidenced how Lone’s stage presence transforms his recorded songs live. The melancholic arpeggiated guitar of ‘how u feel?’ was overbore by Lone’s screams – most moments of tranquillity were obliterated by Lone and the crowd’s aggression, which he demanded constantly by screaming “don’t stop fucking moving”. 

It was interesting to see how songs such as ‘if looks could kill’ and ‘NEVEREVER’ would translate to the high-energy context of a Destroy Lonely show, since their beats feature no kick drum, and thus a lack of rhythmic grounding for the crowd to mosh along to. However, these were some of the most invigorating moments in the set, with the 808s rendered monolithic by the venue’s sound system. The biggest singalong of the night was ‘In the Air’ and he satisfyingly finished on the OG song ‘Bane’, presumably as homage to his day ones. 

Opium has the youth of today by the scruff of their necks, a truth that was tacit on Wednesday night. Yet, it is not just evidenced in the on-looker’s antics, but also in what they wear; only monochromatism is allowed and no colour is in sight. Rick Owens-like leather trousers galore, it really felt like the pilgrimage of a subcultural community.

4/5 stars

Words By Charlie Edmondson