Stormzy AO Arena Review: two years in the making, and well worth the wait

Stormzy took to the AO Arena in Manchester for what he described as 'the biggest show in his life' on Saturday and it certainly felt it. The arena was packed with fans of the artist, young and old, eagerly awaiting to see him perform after a two-year wait.

It was clear from the very start just how big the support was for Stormzy - whose real name is Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo. People of all ages were up dancing to tracks played by Rachael Anson, and MC'd by Radio 1 Xtra DJ Remi Burgz, with the duo getting the arena popping with Afrobeats, Dancehall, Rap and chart tracks.

I started smiling when I noticed so many kids around me dancing and just having a good time with their mates. It reminded me how much joy you can find in life if you really look, given what's going on around us, and that there are still people who are genuinely happy just to be living in the moment.

But when Stormzy emerged on the stage, I can quite honestly say I've never really experienced a cheer quite like it before. People were screaming their lungs out, and I promise you I'm not exaggerating - some people had actual tears in their eyes.

It was mad, it felt like some sort of Messiah was emerging, and he repaid his fan faithful with a blistering start of some of his more upbeat songs - Big Michael, Audacity and Know Me From. It won't come as a surprise to hear that it didn't take long to get everyone dancing, and people were clearly having the time of their lives.

But it was the gospel part of the show which for me, made it a moment I'll never forget. Six backing singers joined Stormzy on stage for Crown, Superheroes, Do Better and Cigarettes and Kush.

Let me tell you, it was something, and it took me a minute to properly take it all in.