Live Review: Little Simz - Prospect Building Bristol
LITTLE SIMZ
PROSPECT BUILDING
BRISTOL
09/06/2025
Little Simz delivers a joyous and passionate performance in an intimate celebration of her new album, 'Lotus'. The stripped-back show is a masterclass in artist-fan connection, showcasing raw vulnerability on new tracks alongside triumphant sing-alongs to beloved hits. It's a powerful and up-close reminder of a generation-defining talent at the peak of her powers.
Words by Philip Giouras
★★★★★
In a warehouse on the outskirts of Bristol, the only thing wider than the industrial crane perched above the stage is the grin plastered across Little Simz’s face. Simz’s smile is a staple of the evening and radiates due to the warmth of a joyous Bristol crowd, who frequently make themselves heard.
We’re at one of a series of intimate PA performances to celebrate the release of her sixth studio album ‘Lotus’, released last week. Bristol has long embraced Simz, who acknowledges her journey from the city’s iconic Thekla venue (‘It’s mad I performed on a boat’) through to today’s industrial warehouse holding a modest 1,500 capacity compared to Simz's now festival and arena headlining status. It’s a real coup for the city, as it’ll be a long time before audiences are this close to the generation-defining hip hop talent.
From the outset, the mood in the room is suitably celebratory as her accompanying DJ cues Simz's arrival, who suddenly bursts onto the stage to perform album opener ‘Thief’. Tonight is intentionally stripped back, Simz accompanied by her DJ and the PA system. Yet her explosive and passionate performance is anything but static; feeding off the audience as she grooves, bounces and conducts the crowd. It’s been mere days since the album was out in the wild, yet the track’s chorus (and accompanying melodic ‘La’s) are bellowed back at Simz with gusto.
It’s visibly become a fan favourite and sets a defiant tone for the evening. Simz has frequently spoken about the difficulty in creating ‘Lotus’, an album that went through many guises and false starts before blossoming from the dissolution of her and long-time collaborator Inflo’s friendship. His betrayal and indebted millions forming the bedrock of the record. At one point in her set, Simz takes a moment to acknowledge her vulnerability and this struggle as the lights dim and she stands with both hands firmly gripping the mic-stand. You could hear a pin drop as the audience stand transfixed listening to Simz pour her heart out about the process on ‘Lonely’.
Throughout the crowd are keen to show their love and support for Simz and respond enthusiastically; whether that’s bouncing to the garage and afrobeats infused medley of her ‘Drop 7’ tracks, with jubilant shrieks as she enters the crowd for an up close and personal rendition of ‘101 FM’, or in how they keenly assist Simz with some of her biggest hooks from hits such as ‘Point and Kill’, ‘Woman’ and ‘Selfish’.
What will perhaps be most pleasing to Simz, considering the twists and turmoil she’s undergone through creating ‘Lotus’ is how it’s segued effortlessly into her discography and tonight’s setlist. It’s these new tracks that become surprising highlights and emotional touchpoints throughout the evening.
‘Free’ is the perfect example of Simz impeccable penmanship, a clear ode to compatriot Kendrick Lamar, feeling sonically familiar to some of his more intrapersonal ‘DAMN’ deep cuts. ‘Only’ is Simz at her smoothest with the audience grooving to it’s jazz and funk infused chorus, reminiscent of the group Jungle. Whilst another successful collaboration with Obongjayar ‘Lion’ see’s the crowd fill in for the Nigerian R&B star as they chant “We don’t care for what they say, that’s my superpower”.
Despite being six albums and fifteen years deep into her career, it seems Simz is only getting started. She has an impeccable ability to reinvent and challenge herself sonically, and pairs this with a clear and visible joy when performing live. As she reaches new peaks of popularity, there’s never been a better time to witness a generational rap artist perfor,m and it’s going to be fascinating watching her deservedly transform her show to an array of arena stages this autumn.
Setlist:
Thief
Flood
Two Worlds Apart
Young
101 FM
Venom
Mood Swings
Torch
Fever
SOS
Only
Lion
Point and Kill
Free
Lonely
Selfish
Woman
Gorilla