Tom Misch ‘Full Circle' Album Showcase In Kingston: Live Review
Tom Misch, the second of two album showcase shows live at Circuit, Kingston. Image credit: TOPNOTE
Misch and his band seemed to enjoy performing the new tracks as much as their audience were hooked on every string.
Seven guitars, two saxophones, a violin, and one monstrous-looking loop pedal manage to fit onto the tiny stage at Kingston’s Circuit… as well as a drum kit, keyboards and synth pads. It’s impressive simply to see so many instruments displayed in the space, like a modern art exhibition – before considering how on earth they’re all going to be played in Tom Misch’s hour-long set.
‘Full Circle’ is an apt album title for a musician who ‘left’ his art form in 2022, suffering from burnout and an identity that had become too jumbled with a highly successful career as a self-producing hip-hop-electronic-funk-neo-soul artist… or something like that. Misch’s genre-inventing approach to music, mixing influences from all kinds of styles and eras with his golden voice and instinctive knack for easygoing grooves made him a globally recognised, critically acclaimed artist almost out the gate. After three years away from the industry, spent as a surfer, a barista, and a gardener, the 30 year-old has returned with a healthier relationship to music, one that’s marked on his own terms.
Part of those terms are smaller, friendlier shows. TOPNOTE were privileged to attend the second of two intimate showcase gigs hosted by Banquet Records, two days before the new album drops; his first solo record since 2018’s ‘Geography’.
Read our review of the night below.
Tom Misch ‘Full Circle’ album cover art. Image credit: Beyond The Groove
Misch hooks the audience from the first notes of his set, a familiar silhouette plucking a guitar while his bandmates watch on in darkness. It’s the opening of ‘Echo From The Flames’ – an evocative previously unheard track from the new record… an effective way of saying ‘hello, I’m back, but we’re here to show you something new’.
And newness is the main dish on the menu – with Misch and his six-piece band cruising through 8 of the record’s 11 tracks, a mix of unreleased tracks and his spaced out singles shared over the course of the last year. It’s noticeable how quiet fans are, singing gently or not at all. It seems they’re intent on fully hearing the music they’re being treated to… and it really does feel a treat to watch these melodies come to life. Misch sways with his instrument in hoodie, jeans and trainers, and it’s like stumbling upon a private session, watching from the window and hoping not to be noticed in case it breaks the musicians from their trance.
Misch does feed the crowd a couple of his best-loved songs, and it seems he enjoys playing them equally as his audience enjoy hearing them again. ‘I think you might know this one’ he grins, before beginning ‘It Runs Through Me’ – a clever choice for his third song to open up the room, after the ‘formalities’ of his new-chapter entrance and the brooding ‘Red Moon’.
“Misch hooks the audience from the first notes of his set, a familiar silhouette plucking a guitar while his bandmates watch on in darkness. It’s the opening of ‘Echo From The Flames’ – an evocative previously unheard track from the new record… an effective way of saying ‘hello, I’m back, but we’re here to show you something new’. ”
Misch’s honeyed voice is so captivating it’s easy to forget that he’s often also the one producing the twanging guitar or acoustic strums that are just as integral to the album’s sense of warmth. But this is far from a one man show. The amount of talent contained on such a small stage is enough to outnumber the amount of guitars. And suddenly it makes sense why there’s so many instruments for the seven musicians to share.
One of, if not the largest applause was duly awarded to saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi’s composition and execution in ‘Days Of Us’ – in what’s best described as a song-length solo. It was a (literally) breathtaking performance, hypnotic and neverending. One can only imagine how breathless he was by the end of it, taking in an emotional ovation that went on for what felt like as long.
Each musician was provided with organic moments to demonstrate their talents, from Jamie Houghton’s blood pumping drums in ‘Tidal Wave’ to the immediately recognisable motif of ‘Disco Yes’ brought forward by bassist Yves Fernandez. Frequently, a private smile showed up between them, especially when watching others at work. The band were quietly confident – as though inherently aware they were producing (and listening themselves) to something special unfolding on stage.
“ ...it really does feel a treat to watch these melodies come to life. Misch sways with his instrument in hoodie, jeans and trainers, and it’s like stumbling upon a private session, watching from the window and hoping not to be noticed in case it breaks the musicians from their trance.”
The set closed with ‘Sisters To Me’, a touching ode to family and the first single to come from Tom Misch this year; no doubt an intention to carry forward a renewed sense of personal values in music as an extension of his time away from it. And it sounds as though ‘Full Circle’ will have a few quieter moments; with acoustic-leaning performances of new tracks ‘Running Away’ and ‘Fear Can’t Hurt Any More Than A Dream’ telling stories of Misch’s anxieties and nightmares – over an angelic guitar melody, of course.
Kingston were lucky to see Tom Misch back on the stage in such low-key settings – you get the sense that’s just how he likes it. Cries for ‘one more song’ were loud, ongoing, and ultimately left unanswered. But there’s only one more sleep until ‘Full Circle’ is released, so fans will just have to hold tight until then.
Tom Misch’s new album ‘Full Circle’ is out via his own label Beyond The Groove tomorrow (27th March).
Tom Misch live in Kingston to celebrate the release of ‘Full Circle’ out 27th March 2026. Image credit: TOPNOTE