Gigs on Sunday evenings have the potential to go one of two ways. For those aware of the impending arrival of the working week, it can make for a reserved affair. For those clinging to the last few hours of freedom before the Monday monotony returns, it’s a chance to extend the festivities. Thankfully, Kano’s arrival to the O2 Academy on Sunday very much confirmed we were dealing with latter.

Striding across his strobe-lit stage and backed by his live band, brass quartet and singers; K-A’ emphatically kicked proceedings off with the powerful two opening tracks from his most recent offering, Hoodies All Summer before taking us all the way back with Ghetto Kyote. With the energy levels in ascendancy, Kano then further upped the ante by dropping Ps & Qs. Understandably, the crowd erupted. Utilising the customary wheel-up (“pop,pop,pop” is definitely a ‘reload ting’), Kano bounced around stage channeling the energy of the room and hit the track with the same potency I imagine he had when it was originally recorded way back in 2004.

This then set the standard for the evening; finely balancing the subdued with the supercharged. One minute getting deep and reflective with the likes of Endz and Got My Brandy…, the next whipping up a frenzy with the likes of GarageSkank and Class of Deja. By the time his incredible backing singers hit the closing notes of SYM, Kano had the audience in the palm of his hand as he left the stage. Naturally, the crowd bayed for more and he was only too willing to oblige. The final 15 minutes saw sing-a-longs (Can’t Hold We Down), false advertising (we were only treated to two of the suggested Three Wheel-Ups) and factually accurate statements; Kano’s sound is definitely the realest.

I’ve been fortunate to catch Kano a few times over the years but as he took the final applause alongside his collaborators and bopped off-stage to the sounds of Sister Nancy, I couldn’t help but feel I’d witnessed not only the best of his shows I’ve experienced so far but possibly one of the best gigs full-stop. From the stellar light show, amazing supporting musicians (big up the O2’s sound team too) and infectious stage presence; it was almost flawless. If this is what Sunday evenings can feel like, sign me up to more.

Words by Mike Pattemore - Photos by Anis Ali