Review: Dean Lewis at O2 City Hall Newcastle
Dean Lewis became a Geordie for a night when he performed for a sold-out O2 City Hall Newcastle crowd
Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis has made a regular appearance on our playlists since he released his popular hit Be Alright in 2019. Now a global success, Dean released his highly anticipated third studio album, The Epilogue last October. This tour is in celebration of that album and it’s no surprise that his O2 City Hall Newcastle gig was a sell out.
Following support act Michael Aldag’s set, the crowd was buzzing with excitement to see Dean and the room was electric when he appeared out of the darkness and went straight into back-to-back tracks.
After a bit of banter with his audience, Dean belted out All I Ever Wanted, Cold and Hurtless – three of our favourites – and his fans were eager to sing along. Some had signs and one requested he should sing Be Alright, but of course he was leaving the best ’til last. An NUFC flag appeared from the crowd and Dean donned it on and off throughout his set, making himself an honorary Geordie for the night, and claiming he loves the accent. We love his too.
Emotional tracks such as Half a Man and The Last Bit of Us hit the audience with serious power and when he wasn’t with his guitar or his piano, Dean was more than happy to get amongst the crowd. At one point leaving the stage and singing whilst stood with his fans in the stalls.
Almost everyone got their phones out to record when Michael Aldag came back on stage to perform a cover of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls with Dean, following an energetic cover of Gracie Abrams’ Cool. A special shout out should be given to Dean’s violinist. Jen, who was absolutely faultless throughout the gig.
Promising the crowd an encore (or maybe encouraging them to demand one), after his performance of How Do I Say Goodbye, and handing out guitar picks to those in the front rows, Dean came back with unwavering energy for the track we’d all been waiting for – Be Alright, and it was everything we had hoped for and more. Of course he donned his new NUFC flag for that.
Clearly passionate about his fans, Dean headed out into the streets of Newcastle for a mini concert and a chance for gig goers to meet him and take selfies, making the night of many of his supporters.
