Delights kick off their tour in Hackney’s Oslo, celebrating their debut album ‘If Heaven Looks A Little Like This’

Alisa Fridman
Feb 12
3 min read

On a chilly Wednesday night, Delights took the stage at Oslo in Hackney, marking the first stop of their much-anticipated debut album tour, ‘If Heaven Looks a Little Like This‘. Following the postponement of their album release and tour for four months, the band excitedly took the stage. “We waited 18 months to finally say, ‘Hello London’!” frontman Adam Maxwell declared, setting the tone for an evening brimming with celebration. The excitement was palpable, and they made sure every moment counted.

Having first seen and photographed Delights at Golden Touch Festival last June, where they stood out instantly with their effortless chemistry and infectious energy, it was thrilling to witness a full set of their joyful spirit and simple fun on stage. Their authenticity and sheer enjoyment of playing music together made the packed-out space feel more like a gathering of close friends than just another gig.

Warming up the crowd that night were Flat Party, a band that defies easy categorisation. Their signature sound is a blend of wry lyrical self-awareness and driving riffs, all topped with such flamboyance and theatricality that it is hard not to be intrigued by their fun, ambitious and playfully inventive catalogue of songs. You can read our interview with them here.

Delights’ set opened with ‘Iris’, instantly hooking the crowd. The song’s extended intro allowed Maxwell’s vocals to shine, with the audience joining in loudly from the very start. The band’s sound – a unique fusion of modern indie-pop and 70s psychedelic – felt even more refined live. ‘Two Times Over‘ got the crowd dancing along to the high-energy groove of Ben Kirkland’s chunky bass lines and Cameron Stephenson’s infectious percussion.

Mid-set, a more intimate section showcased the versatility in genres that Delights tap into. ‘The Way Things Used To Be‘, a Keane-esque lush piano ballad, brought forth Maxwell’s vocals in a way that expressed both remorse and solace. Their more delicate and personal side continued with ‘Adore Her‘, a stripped-back acoustic love song that had the crowd swaying and partners holding each other. Like the album, the set had such a diverse mix of genres, which could feel disjointed, yet Delights made the blend look and sound effortless – it simply worked. Delights are more than just infectious energy; they know how to pull back perfectly and let emotions shine through.

The band swiftly surged back into full-speed anthems. ‘I Think You Should Know’ was a harmony masterclass driven by Leo Willis’ propulsive drumming and Kirkland’s deep, grooving bassline. ‘Tender’ was one of the night’s loudest singalongs, despite Maxwell briefly forgetting the words, which posed no concerns for the crowd that eagerly covered for him.

The set continued to escalate from there. ‘And It Goes’ delivered a rush of adrenaline, while ‘Take A Picture‘ brought a futuristic, synth-heavy vibe, seamlessly transitioning into a cover of LCD Soundsystem’s ‘Tribulations‘. Finally, a medley of the electronic-funk of ‘Hotel Lobby’ into the funk-infused indie of ‘Hotel Bar’ turned the venue into a disco dreamscape before ‘1989‘ closed the night with an electrifying extended outro.

What sets Delights apart isn’t just their musicianship – it’s the way they make every show feel like a celebration between friends. Their palpable bond and infectious joy while sharing their art with others is captivating, and their fantastic fusion of various genres keeps their sound both fresh and nostalgic. If the rest of their tour carries even a fraction of the magic atmosphere they brought to Oslo, audiences across the UK are in for something truly special.

Check out the gallery below:

Flat Party