Joshua Idehen aimed to foster a sense of community at The Globe, and he succeeded by the end of the evening. His approach began with an icebreaker, asking attendees to shake hands with strangers for 30 seconds, which set the tone for a night filled with connection and joy.
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Murkage Dave contributed to this atmosphere, performing tracks like "Gabriel," a collaboration with Yard Act’s Ryan Needham. The audience responded warmly, especially to the refrain of “I feel calm.” Humor infused the evening when Idehen, watching from the crowd, playfully called out to Dave after a mention of promoting tour merchandise in the setlist. Dave acknowledged Idehen’s perseverance and growth, setting the stage for what was to come.
Barefoot and animated, Idehen blended poetry, dance, and gospel influences throughout the night. He was accompanied by two backing singers, and Ludvig Parment, known as Saturday, Monday, provided the beats. Idehen emphasized the collaborative nature of their performance, insisting that they shared the spotlight equally.
The energy of the performance was palpable. Idehen had been in Cardiff just a few months prior, supporting indie artist Self Esteem, and he humorously joked about having little memory of it. Even when he accidentally switched off his microphone, it only added to the camaraderie in the room. His track "This Is The Place" further engaged the audience, prompting spirited calls of “rhythm” and “love,” encapsulating the evening’s vibe of unity and escape from daily worries.
During "Illegal Hit," Idehen encouraged attendees to “shimmy off” negativity with a Nigerian wave that united everyone from the front to the balcony. For "Don’t Let It Get You Down," participants donned headbands and joined in a playful personal training session, complete with guided movements.
"Mum Does The Washing," one of Idehen’s most popular songs, showcased his trademark humor, while "Choose Yourself" invited attendees to claim their presence in the space. Themes of love, self-empowerment, and resilience resonated throughout the performance. Idehen's ability to be humorous without trivializing serious emotions resonated deeply with the audience.
A cover of Talking Heads’ "Once In A Lifetime" blended seamlessly with the night's rhythm, while the encore featured "All You Can Do Is Try," a message of faith in seemingly foolish ideas, drawing on Idehen’s own career as an example. The night concluded with "Don’t You Give Up On Me," leaving everyone uplifted and smiling after 90 minutes of joyful connection.
Joshua Idehen and Murkage Dave performed at The Globe in Cardiff on November 4.