Tinie Tempah: Live at the O2

Tinie Tempah’s Dublin fans are out in force tonight, as the London rapper’s Demonstration tour rolls into the O2. Emerging on stage in what looks like a tin-foil suit, the singer kicks off with ‘Lover Not A Fighter’, and proceeds to belt out more hits than this reporter knew she knew (always a good sign). And whether Tinie’s brand of chart-friendly hip-pop (see what I did there?) is your bag, there’s no denying the impressive energy emanating from this genuinely affable showman.

Fans go bonkers for ‘Wonderman’ (minus Ellie Goulding), ‘Earthquake’ and ‘Trampoline’, before Tinie takes it down a notch with a couple of heartfelt ballads (‘Tears Run Dry’, ‘Heroes’). “I’m older now,” he explains, “I’m 25, and more mature” – to which your decrepit writer and her equally ancient friend simultaneously burst into tears.

Things take a turn for the crazy then, as the rapper launches into the positively pulsating ‘Miami 2 Ibiza’, ‘Drinking From The Bottle’ and ‘Tsunami’. The building sways as fans bounce up and down, and in celebration of the final show, Tinie brings his crew on stage and gives them each a celebratory shot. Your reporter slinks away, weaving her way through a sea of topless men and short-shorts-clad gals, yearning for her waiting pipe and slippers. Nonetheless, she leaves feeling thoroughly entertained.