KIP MOORE @ O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON - 7TH JUNE 2025
- James Nash
- Jun 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Kip Moore tore through Brixton Academy on Saturday evening in what could possibly be one of the greatest evenings of live music I’ve witnessed in my 10+ years of concert-going.
Brixton was set for downpours of rain throughout Saturday and despite the gloomy grey skies as I made my way across soaked streets, nothing could take away the innate buzz that country fans seem to carry everywhere, as they snaked the block in anticipation. With a stacked lineup of European dates and intimate HMV events as part of the Solitary Tracks World Tour, Kip Moore clearly is here to give it all for his fans, something which was unmissable throughout the whole night.
But before we get into that… one of Nashville’s latest rising stars, Irish-born Gareth, opened the evening with his Beyond the Backyard Tour. Since relocating to the TriStar state only 6 months ago, Gareth has moved from TikTok covers to ultimately inking a publishing deal with BMG. Now, through being on the road with Kip Moore, Gareth has conquered not only his biggest shows to date, but his landmark first leg of arena’s. Coming out strong with a full production, the band opened to Born Yesterday and in true American (or should I say ‘Merican) fashion, a bottle of beer in hand. Touching on his wild virality, Gareth played a rendition of Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, a song that well and truly changed his life; the catalyst for his success garnering nearly ten million streams on Spotify alone and 25 million views across platforms. Gareth’s performance on Saturday was as humble as you could get, rooted in deep gratitude for his fans, his mother, and of course, Kip Moore.
After a quick turnaround, Kip Moore & The Slow Hearts took to the stage. As the house lights went down and the dim spotlights rose, electric guitarist Dave Nassie fuelled the crowd’s increasing energy with High Hopes. The way this track builds from quiet and melodic to bold and anthemic was the perfect choice for the set’s opener. “We’ve really been looking forward to this one” says Moore, as he powers through the next 4 songs of this 25-song set, which included the title Solitary Tracks. Followed by a rapturous applause and encore-style ovation this early into the night, Brixton Academy’s stomping vibrations could be felt through the seats up in the balcony. “Seems we’ve got some rowdy folks in here tonight” shouted out Moore, noting that he was insistent on playing the iconic venue despite Brixton's history of predominantly heavier bands. A few songs later, Beer Money had everyone belting out the chorus like it was the last song of the night. Jumping off the stage into the crowd whilst playing guitar, Moore’s unmatchable energy and complete control demonstrates that this isn’t just a country show, it’s a full on rock show. What seems like bottomless energy, Moore later touched on how truly exhausted he is, and in a moment to catch his breath, thanked the fans for picking the band up no matter how low they feel, night after night.
Kip Moore & The Slow Hearts at Brixton Academy was an experience that felt as surreal in the moment as it does re-watching the videos as I write this review.
Setlist
High Hopes
Only Me
Solitary Tracks
Damn Love
South
Wild Ones
Plead the Fifth
Beer Money
Red White Blue Jean American Dream
More Girls Like You
That Was Us
Live Here To Work
Love & War
Sometimes She Stays
Dirt Road
Blonde
Running for You
She's Mine
Flowers in December
The Bull
Heart's Desire
Somethin' 'Bout a Truck
Come and Get It
Last Shot
Guitar Man
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