Incredible scenes were set as Doechii took the stage at the first of her two-night stop in London as part of her Alligator Bites Never Heal Tour. Playing a sold-out show at Islington Academy Hall, the singer delivered an electrifying set that was powerful and fueled by energy and performance that had the audience going from start to finish.
The air was charged with anticipation as the audience awaited Doechii's arrival on stage. DJ MissMilan set the tone for the night with an hour-long set that had everyone on their feet. Even the security's attempts to get people to sit on the balcony level were met with resistance, adding to the excitement in the air.
Once the Florida native arrived on stage to a swamp-like setting that matched the aesthetic of her mixtape, she wasted no time getting right into the album's vibes. Opening with BOOM BAP, she delivered a series of back-to-back raps and tracks that lifted the songs in every sense.
Doechii's artistry is a unique blend of melodic raps, playful flows, and intricate wordplay. Her songs like Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, Crazy, Persuasion, and What It Is have had viral moments, showcasing the continuous strength of her artistic ability. But when you listen to the mixtape, you truly understand the depth of her talent. The 19-track mixtape effortlessly showcases Doechii's range, telling stories of her struggles with newfound fame and vulnerability when speaking about her experiences over the past few years.
Putting those onto the stage with nothing but a DJ accompanying her, Doechii showed that you can give a lot even with very little. The debut tour sold out within minutes, and the evidence of two sold-out shows in London is proof of her potential and the star power she already has and is well on the way to continuing to the building.
Her set was delivered from top to bottom throughout the hour-long setlist. Standout moments included BOOM BAP, which was an incredible tone-stater to the show before going into tracks like DENIAL IS A RIVER, Pro Freak, Persuasive, Stressed, PROFIT, HUH, and Alter EGO before ending with the album title ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL.
Overall, Doechii delivered a world-class performance that left the audience buzzing with energy. The crowd's reaction, from the first note to the last, was a testament to the power of her live performance, which for her first debut tour is a statement. After being met with the vibes and the energy, it was a sensational space to be in and certainly made for a Sunday evening well spent.
