Role Model O2 Apollo review: ‘A highlight-laden spectacle’
“It’s supposed to be the best night of your lives,” says Role Model, who was greeted with a euphoric roar from the 3,500-strong crowd at the O2 Apollo. Whenever Tucker Pillsbury spoke or sang a lyric, he was met by a feverish response on every occasion; the singalongs got consistently louder, and the highlights were endless during his epic 75-minute set in Manchester. Needless to say, for many in the audience, Pillsbury’s words rang true – it was a night that more than delivered.
Opening the show with a performance of ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, the rendition proved to be an instant tone-setter as the sold-out crowd erupted, belting the lyrics back to Pillsbury in full voice, kicking off what was to be a highlight-laden spectacle in fine fashion. The dreamy, silky smooth ‘Look At That Woman’ swiftly followed before the 28-year-old stopped to reflect on how much has changed since he graced the O2 Ritz across the city just over a year ago.
Pillsbury released his biggest viral hit to date in ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’ in February, he opened for Gracie Abrams on ‘The Secret of Us’ Deluxe tour, performed on Saturday Night Live last month and at major festivals such as Austin City Limits and even appeared in People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive edition earlier this week. However, the singer jokingly confessed he merely returned to Manchester because he wanted to show off his new haircut, offering a touch of humour and wit to perfectly complement the raw emotion in his lyrics and the energy in which he exudes in his performance.
Complemented by the tight musicianship of his three-piece band, who were elevated on a platform positioned behind him, the front of the stage belonged solely to Pillsbury, and he’s certainly a performer that commands your full attention. The 28-year-old covered every inch of the O2 Apollo stage as he launched into a stirring performance of ‘Scumbag’ and crooned his way effortlessly through ‘Oh, Gemini’ before a rendition of ‘A Little More Time’ felt quite melancholic.
Cutting a charming and charismatic presence on stage, Pillsbury’s interactions with the audience were an undoubted highlight from the evening. The singer enjoyed an exchange with a fan, who passed a camera over to take some souvenir snaps on stage and made light of his initial troubles with the camera by jokingly asking, “Can you just give me your phone?” to a sea of laughter from the audience. The 28-year-old was also willing to share a moment of vulnerability with the O2 Apollo as he took a seat to perform ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’ with a leather notebook, which he used to read out the lyrics as if it was a story, a moment that underlined the magic of a Role Model show.
In what is a constant in his live performances, the singer breaks out a special guest every night to dance alongside him on the aforementioned ‘‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’. In London, it was Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan who were given the honour of dancing alongside the 28-year-old, joining the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, Charli XCX on SNL and Hilary Duff on the list of names who had previously danced with Role Model. However, in Manchester, the honour was given to a lucky fan, who relished every second of dancing on stage with the singer as the 3,500-strong audience sang their hearts out.