WORDS AND IMAGES DAZZA HAGERTY
For one night only American artist Colson Baker AKA Machine Gun Kelly performed on the iconic stage that is the Royal Albert Hall, he will join many great musicians such as Adele, Eric Clapton, Janet Jackson and more.
MGK came on the radar in 2012 releasing his debut studio album “Lace” up followed by two hip-hop albums “General Admissions” 2015 & “Bloom” 2017. His next album, “Tickets to my downfall” 2020 which took a revolutionary turn to rock/pop punk featuring artists such as Halsey, Trippie Redd, Blackbear. Then in 2022 came the album “Mainstream Sellout” collaborating with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, who is arguably the best drummer we’ve ever seen.
So onto the night, the 152 year old sold out hall didn’t disappoint and neither did Machine Gun Kelly and his fans, MGK probably has some of the best fans in the world from what I experienced.
As I arrived at the Hall it was taken over by the colour pink inside and out. He’s got a wild fan base, no denying that!
As it hit 9pm the anticipation kicks in, the moment over 5,000 people had been waiting for, It’s dark, it’s smokey, the music intensifies you can just about see MGK walking up high to take his stand with his guitar and microphone just waiting for him up the top, fans are screaming, he reaches the top, the light beams down on him, he grabs his guitar, starts to play “papercuts” and the whole of the Royal Albert Hall just took like a rocket into space, off singing word for word! He then followed that up with his brand new hip-hop single “pressure”
Then came a moment to speak with the fans, and instead of having a cigarette and alcohol, he decided to have a cup of tea on stage, different & amusing to say the least. MGK then surprised everyone by bringing out American singer Halsey to perform hit “Forget Me Too”, which had fans in tears.
THEN, just wait for it… An appearance from our very own James Arthur performing Avicii cover “Wake Me Up” followed by “Go for Broke” the fans went into meltdown, and fair play to James as he’d come straight from the Hammersmith Apollo to perform on Britain’s Got Talent to perform with MGK a real pinch myself moment for him.
Towards the end of his set he covered “Feel Good Inc” by the legendary Gorillaz and played his new single pressure which had to be restarted not once but twice, first time due to technical difficulties, the second time due to a young girl in the crowd who seemed to be in a state of panic, MGK jumped of the stage to check on her, and decided to pull her out and swap places with her so he ended the night in the crowd, as you can imagine the crowd was hyped with excitement!
Line Up:
Guitarist – Justin “Jus” Lyons
Guitarist – Sophie Lloyd
Keyboard/Bass – Steve “Baze” Basil
Backing Vocals/Keyboard – Brandon “Slimxx” Allen
Drummer – JP “Rook” Cappelletty
If I was to rate this concert I’d give it 10/10.
It certainly was a night to remember in the iconic Hall, it had everything: hip-hop, punk, rock, pop, great featured artists, emotional speeches, just non stop excitement, I felt a sheer buzz and connection between the fans and MGK.
Set List:
1. papercuts
2. PRESSURE
Live debut
3. maybe
4. born with horns
5. drunk face
6. all I know
7. Candv
8. jawbreaker
9. forget me too
With Halsey
10. Habits
11. god save me
12. title track
13. Wake Me Up Avicii Cover with James Arthur
14. Go for Broke With James Arthur
15. kiss kiss
16. ay!
17. Everyday First verse only
18. more than life
19. 5:3666
20. LATELY
21. Floor 13
22. Bitter Sweet Symphony The Verve Cover
23. I Think Im OKAY
24. last november
25. End of the Road
26. lonely
27. bloody valentine
28. make up sex
29. my exs best friend
30. Feel Good Inc.
Gorillaz Cover
31. twin flame
32. PRESSURE Restarted twice
FOLLOW MACHINE GUN KELLY
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
