Antony Szmierek’s gig at KOKO on 27th March felt more like a gathering of old friends than a traditional live show.
The rising Manchester artist – who blends spoken word, indie grooves and wry, observational lyricism – was playing off the back of his debut album, Service Station at the End of the Universe, released earlier this year to growing critical acclaim.
Szmierek has carved out a niche for himself with his distinct mix of poetic storytelling and laid-back beats, and that balance translated effortlessly to the stage. The setup at KOKO added a unique twist – some of the audience were placed behind him, giving the space an immersive, almost club-like energy. It was intimate without being self-conscious, and the connection between a (clearly grateful) Antony and the crowd was palpable from the first beat.
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He opened with the album’s title track before rolling straight into The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Fallacy and The Great Pyramid of Stockport.
There’s something charmingly unpretentious about Szmierek’s delivery: everyman observations wrapped in rhythm, served with a wink, and delivered on this occasion with one-half knowing smirk, one-half slight bewilderment at the size and scale of the spectacle before him.
Midway through the set, Yoga Teacher stood out as a crowd favourite – its infectious chorus and sharp wit had the whole room bouncing. And then, like every great artist, Szmeriek delivered a curveball: specifically, a cover of Robbie Williams’ Feel. It was an unexpected but well-received moment that showed Szmierek’s range beyond the witty punchlines and emotional sucker-punches – and frankly, any excuse to belt out a Robbie song on a school night is one that we – and seemingly everybody else in the room – will gladly seize with vigour.
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Szmeriek closed on a high with Angie’s Wedding, a euphoric ode to fictional chaos that had the room moving like it was the early hours of a wedding afterparty.
With its nods to Haçienda-era synths and storytelling flair, it encapsulated what makes Szmierek such a compelling performer. And then, with a quickfire one-two of Take Me There and The Words to Auld Lang Syne, it was over.Â
More than just a gig, this was a confident step from an artist who’s fast becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive new voices. If this show was anything to go by, Szmierek’s only just getting started.
