Ziggy Alberts Lights Up a Stormy London: Barefoot Bliss and Ocean-Soaked Soul at the Royal Albert Hall
- Dave Broome
- Oct 26
- 4 min read
Royal Albert Hall, London - 23rd October 2025
IMAGES DAVE BROOME / WORDS SIAN WILSON
Walking down the dark Kensington Road, the glow of the iconic Royal Albert Hall was a welcome sight in the midst of a very British storm. Settling into the oasis of the Kensington Gardens Bar, this feels like the most glamorous pre-show drink yet - the perfect way to start the evening. Ellie Simmons passes by, an unexpected celebrity sighting that adds to the sense of occasion. Following the long rounded corridor, the history of the venue seeps from the walls and the excitement for the night ahead quietly builds.
On presenting the ticket, through the old wooden doors, the velvet red curtain pulls back to reveal the grand amphitheatre. A traditional pipe organ looms behind the stage while soft light bathes the empty instruments waiting to be played. Tonight, the ocean-loving singer-songwriter from Australia will fill this historic Hall with salt, soul and stories of connection.
Opening the show is London based sing-songwriter Áine Deane. Bringing a soft, soulful intimacy to the cathedral-like grandeur of the Hall, she introduces her set as being split into two halves, her ‘sad songs’ and her ‘revenge’ era. Like her lyrics, she is authentic and honest, yet disarmingly personable and bubbly. Her warmth radiates which is perfectly paired with the bright white light that is flooding the stage around her. Songs such as “The One Before The One” and “Bones” showcase her rawness and she ends her set encouraging everyone to turn on their flashlights - a glowing constellation that allows her to see our faces from the darkness to take in her moment.
In total contrast Nathan Ball, the next support act, transforms the stage with a moody red wash of light and smoke, matching the ambience of his sonic music. His sound is atmospheric and textured - electronic keys, echoing guitar, and a deep, pulsing beat that verges on techno. Between songs, he shares a story of watching Ben Howard from a box in this very venue years ago with Ziggy Alberts, reflecting on how surreal it feels to now be performing here as part of Alberts’ European and UK tour.
Then it is time for our headliner. From busking in his home country and singing in Hackney pubs to selling out the Royal Albert Hall, Ziggy Alberts makes a dramatic yet understated entrance. In pitch darkness a single backlight illuminates and his shadowy figure appears to “Flowers Bathed in Sunlight.” Composed of a soft melody with narration, this simple track ripples across the room. The audience falls silent with the exception of a few wolf whistles.
“Days In The Sun” follows, perfectly linking back to Nathan Ball’s earlier Ben Howard anecdote through its lyrical reference. As the lights dim, sounds of nature fill the hall, transporting us to a jungle, before breaking into “Hands I Can Hold.” Throughout the set, Alberts weaves music, lighting and words of gratitude to create a clear message: enjoy, respect, and feel grateful for the natural world.
Introducing his tour, “New Love”, the title of his most recently released album, he is dressed in a simple loose fitting pink shirt, black chinos with bare feet - it is one man with just his guitar and loop pedal, bringing Australia to London. With stripped back staging and no band, it is his voice, his charm and the lighting that are the stars of the show. He sets out three rules for night:
1. Despite his haircut, he must be taken seriously at all times.
2. Take care of each other.
3. If you know the words, sing along.
From the jungle to the ocean, “Stronger” from his album, “Laps Around the Sun” (2018), feels reflective and hopeful. His music is a blend of folk, rock and country influences, and scanning the vast Hall, those standing in the arena are dancing and swaying, while those seated tap and bob along to the beat under the warm light. His cheeky side shines as he shares snippets of himself that “can’t be found on the internet” - an interest in Buddhism, loving a good barbeque (which, he admits, slightly contradicts the former) and not being a party person - before confessing that the closest he comes to rebellion is riding an e-bike in his Nickelback shirt on mushrooms. It’s this mix of humour and honesty that makes him so relatably human.
The highlight comes when Ziggy Alberts unexpectedly appears out of nowhere on the B stage at the back of the venue to perform “Outlaw” and “Learn Yourself” joined by Ben Morgan on the saxophone. Turning to the crowd behind him with a cheeky wink and salute, he is greeted with a roar of applause. The surprise elevates further as he walks into the middle of the crowd at the centre of the arena to sing “Gone (The Pocahontas Song)” surrounded by dancing fans with their arms in the air. His authenticity radiates throughout as he explains that he wants to “give people their front row moment”, a gesture which feels utterly sincere. Ziggy Alberts’ kindness, gratitude and deep connection to his audience make this not just a concert, but a celebration of community and the natural world.
As the night draws to a close, the helpfulness of the staff lingers as one last act of kindness, before the cold air outside delivers an unwelcome jolt back to reality from the warmth and magic of the evening.
SET LIST
1. Days in the Sun
2. Hands I Can Hold
3. New Love
4. Stronger
5. Where Does The Love Go?
6. Don't Get Caught Up
7. Getting Low
8. Outlaw
9. Learn Yourself (with Ben Morgan)
10. Gone (The Pocahontas Song)
11. Simple Things
12. Heartbeat
13. Together
14. Runaway
Encore:
15. Cyclones
16. Letting go (with Nathan Ball)
17. Love Me Now
18. Laps Around the Sun
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