‘It's been incredible': Little Simz ends Meltdown festival with orchestral show
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, brought out guests including rapper Wretch 32, Nigerian artist Obongjayar, and singer Miraa May, during a show which saw her backed by Europe's first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
After opening with Introvert from Mercury Prize-winning album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), the London-born rapper told the crowd: 'Thank you guys so much for coming to see me this evening.
A post shared by simz (@littlesimz)
'This is the last day of Meltdown festival, it's been incredible, please make some noise for the Chineke! Orchestra, please make some noise for my band on stage tonight, I want to have a good time with you guys, here we go.'
She then kicked into Thief from latest album Lotus, which was released earlier this month.
The artist said she was 'very excited' to be playing her new record live, but told the audience she was also going to 'take it back', before performing Two Worlds Apart.
Before I Love You, I Hate You, Simz asked the crowd: 'Why you lot sitting down?' prompting them to spring into the air, dancing and singing along, where they remained for the rest of the concert.
For Heart On Fire from No Thank You (2022) the rapper hopped off the stage and prowled into the crowd, waving to and holding hands with fans, while Venom, one of her best known tracks, saw Simz jump on to the conductor's podium to conduct the orchestra for the song's opening while rapping.
Before Free, from her latest record, Simz told the audience: 'This next song, I wrote as a poem, and I'm so happy I made it into a song, because, it's even stuff I need to hear sometimes, you know?
'If you know it, if you like it, I would love if we can sing it together, I think it'll sound beautiful in here.'
For Peace, the rapper brought out singer May, who she said she had known 'for a very long time, since we was like 14, 15', adding that they used to sit in a park in Shoreditch and write songs together, saying it was 'so special' to perform with her on the night.
Obongjayar, who released his second album Paradise Now in May, brought upbeat party vibes for Lotus's Lion and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert's Point And Kill.
London-born rapper Wretch 32 appeared on the balcony as Simz began the duet Blood from her latest album, making his way down to the stage, where they were joined by singer Cashh for the family argument-turned song.
Before last two songs, Woman and Gorilla, she said: 'This has been so special, man, thank you guys for being here, thank you so much to Chineke! Orchestra, most importantly you guys, man, you guys, honestly.
'It's been so much fun, you've been dancing, you've been singing and really catching our vibe.
'I'm so very grateful.'
This year's Meltdown, curated by Simz, has seen performances from the likes of Lola Young, The Streets and Ghetts since the 11-day festival began on June 12.
Each year the event is curated by a different artist, with last year's event being planned by Chaka Khan, while other past curators include David Bowie, Grace Jones and Patti Smith.
Meltdown has become known for unique performances, with The Smiths' lead singer Morrissey getting a reunited New York Dolls to perform at his 2004 event, Ray Davies restaging 1960s TV pop show Ready Steady Go! in 2011, and Jeff Buckley playing his final UK show at Elvis Costello's Meltdown in 1995.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
3 Tokyo restaurants named in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list
Following Tokyo's strong showing in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants earlier this year, which included nine local entries, the highly anticipated World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list has just added several more notches to the city's culinary belt. This year's rankings were announced at a ceremony in Turin, Italy on June 19 and include three restaurants in Tokyo and one in Osaka. Taking the top spot this year is Maido in Lima, Peru. It's run by Lima-born chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, known for his innovative take on Nikkei cuisine which blends the ingredients of his home city with the culinary techniques of Japan, where he has his roots. Maido was followed by Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, Mexico City's Quintonil, Madrid's Diverxo and Alchemist in Copenhagen. Tokyo's highest ranking restaurant is Sézanne, which took the seventh spot, just behind Bangkok's Gaggan. Helmed by British chef Daniel Calvert, Sézanne continues to impress with its meticulous technique-driven cuisine highlighting seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan. Elsewhere on this year's list, Tokyo's Narisawa re-entered the list in 21st place while Osaka's La Cime came in at 44. Florilège, which has relocated to Azabudai Hills, also secured a spot on the list, coming in at 36. Check out the full list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Shaughna Phillips shows off her bump on Love Island AfterSun as Maya Jama congratulates the former contestant on her pregnancy
Shaughna Phillips showcased her bump on Love Island AfterSun on Sunday, hours after announcing she is pregnant. The former islander, 31, who is also a mother to Lucia, two, looked radiant as she appeared as a special guest on the ITV 2 spin off show. To discuss her her happy news, the blonde beauty wore an elegant white wrap dress. Appearing alongside Demi Jones, Shaughna was congratulated by host Maya Jama after she revealed she is expecting her second child. Walking over to the two guests, Maya said: 'Hello, congratulations are in order, Shaughna!' The host continued: 'I mean amazing. Baby number two?' which the blonde beauty replied. 'two, here you go and busy!'. Taking to Instagram earlier on Sunday, Shaughna revealed she was expecting as she posted a video of herself taking a pregnancy test and showed off her growing bump. She also shared a sweet video of her daughter Lucia wearing a t-shirt saying 'Big Sis' and 'In my big sister era' to go with the announcement. Shaughna did not reveal who the father of her baby is as she wrote: 'Adding a little more love to our family…' Following the birth of her daughter Lucia in April 2023, Shaughna's boyfriend of four years, Billy Webb, 29, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply 4.5kg of cocaine worth at least £360,000. However Shaughna revealed in November that the father of her little girl had been released after serving only 12 months of his sentence and the family reunited to enjoy a Christmas grotto together. The blonde bombshell has been very open with her fans throughout the ordeal and previously revealed on her podcast Oh, Baby with Shaughna and Holly that she had struggled to come to terms with the situation. She said: 'It's the most gut-wrenching position to be in. Taking to Instagram on Sunday , Shaughna revealed she was expecting as she posted a video of herself taking a pregnancy test and showed off her growing bump 'And, I mean, before I even answer this question, I want to just put it out there that you can judge me all you want, but please don't let me know, because I feel like unless you've been in this position you can't really have an opinion on it. 'Because before I was in this position, before I had a baby, if you had asked me would I ever, ever take my child into a prison, the answer would be absolutely not. Anyone that does that is crazy. 'And then, lo and behold, I'm now in this position. And I think the thing is, we're always going to be co-parents. 'And I know that me and my dad had the best relationship ever, and to me, my dad is the best person in the world. 'And I don't want Lucia to think differently of her father. I would never, ever stop him from seeing her, ever.' Sharing an adorable video to her Instagram announcing he had been released, the reality star revealed that she and her partner had taken Lucia to see Santa and added she never thought this day would come. She captioned the clip: 'If you had told me this time last year, that me and Billy would be taking Lucia to see Santa next Christmas, I probably wouldn't have let myself believe you 'The best couple of days, this Christmas is going to be so special'. The star also revealed to MailOnline that she had struggled raising her daughter as a single mother. She said: 'Having a newborn baby, hormones are all over the place and I was just struggling' 'Anyone who's had kids they'll probably say that when they're a newborn it's easiest because they just lie there and need to be fed but as they get older and they can talk back and say no... It's exhausting.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fern Britton admits she has 'mixed emotions' on former This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield as she addresses his exit from television amid their long-running feud
Fern Britton has addressed Phillip Schofield 's departure from This Morning and reflected on their time hosting the show together after their falling out. The 67-year-old anchored the ITV programme alongside Schofield, 63, for seven years before quitting in 2009. Ahead of her departure, the pair famously fell out and haven't spoken since, with Phil previously claiming in his autobiography their relationship was 'beyond repair'. It was claimed at the time she felt 'undervalued by ITV' and that she was 'living in Phil's shadow'. Now 15 years on, Fern said she had 'great fun' hosting This Morning with her former pal whilst speaking about his own controversial exit. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: 'It brought up a lot of mixed emotions. The 67-year-old anchored the ITV programme alongside Schofield, 63, for seven years before quitting in 2009 'The years we worked together were mostly great fun and we were a very good partnership, which I can remember with fondness. 'I knew how much he loved his job and cared deeply for his public perception. It must have been a terribly difficult time for him and his family.' In 2022, Fern ended their long-running feud when she congratulated Schofe in a video message to celebrate his 40th anniversary in television. Last year the mum-of-four returned to screens, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. Phillip stepped down from This Morning and subsequently all TV projects after he admitted to an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a 20-year-old crew member on the daytime show. Holly Willoughby, who took over hosting duties on This Morning from Fern, released a statement at the time saying she had felt 'hurt' by his 'lies'. Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to a terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight. Phillip is also said to have called Holly 'The Witch' following the pair's departure from their presenting roles. Tensions between the pair reached further heights when Phil boldly declared there were 'three s**ts' at ITV on his Channel 5 show Cast Away. The pair used to be best friends, with their families even taking annual holidays together, but the bitter feud appears to have been reignited. Phillip is said to have told Holly that she 'brought him down' before he resigned from This Morning. Meanwhile, last week Phillip was making the most of the warm summer weather as he took his dog for a walk in west London on Wednesday. He cut a casual figure in the outing in a light blue shirt and a pair of cream knee-length shorts.
