Alfa Mist @ The Royal Albert Hall (25.11.25)
Picture Credit: Dan Medhurst
Review: Alfa Mist @ The Royal Albert Hall, One Off “Roulette” Performance.
On Tuesday, Alfa Mist celebrated a career milestone with a specially curated, one off performance at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in celebration of his latest album Roulette, released on October 3rd. Joined by the Black Snow Orchestra, the London born producer, pianist, and composer delivered a night that felt both historic and deeply personal, a bold blend of jazz, hip hop, classical, and cinematic soundscapes.
Rife with anticipation, music lovers and jazz enthusiasts alike filled the hall long before a single note was played. A few flickering vintage lamps opened the evening, followed by a blue, misty wash that struck silhouetted forms across the stage, an immediate pull into the alternate reality Alfa Mist aims to create.
The show opened with the title track "Roulette," introduced by a beautiful arrangement from the 12 piece string section. What followed was classic Alfa Mist: intricate jazz structures, complex rhythms, and moments where each instrument stepped forward to shine. An early standout moment was the stunning trumpet soloing from J Sphynx, which raised the energy across the room.
Prior to launching into the second piece, Alfa took the time to introduce each of the musicians on stage, a generous gesture that spoke volumes about his ethos. His humility and focus on the collective musicianship immediately made clear that tonight was not about self indulgence, but rather about the artistry of the ensemble and the music they all shape together.
Next up came one of the night's major highlights in "Dersen Café." Samuel Rapley opened the track with a deeply expressive bass clarinet solo before the beat dropped and the groove kicked in, sending the entire hall bouncing in unison. From that point on, Alfa and his band had the audience fully immersed.
Throughout, the sound was immaculate, expected perhaps, given the world renowned acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall, but a joy nonetheless to experience. Every detail landed exactly as intended: crisp percussion, lush strings, warm brass and keys melding into a rich, enveloping mix. Several times I found myself closing my eyes and simply being carried away, that kind of deeply physical musical immersion where the hairs on your body stand on end.
Matters were only enhanced by a revolving stable of guest vocalists. Lex Amor, Emmavie, and Kaya Thomas-Dyke all appeared on stage, the latter proving a recurring standout. Her ethereal vocals on "Always Be" were nothing short of breathtaking, eliciting some of the night's most emotional responses. Another particularly affecting moment arrived with "Give Anything," where Kaya and the strings combined to deliver one of the set's most gorgeous passages. Not to be left out, Alfa's own rap verses on selected tracks; his rich, bassy voice rumbling across the hall proved an exciting moment that added another layer to the genre bending experience of the evening.
Mid-set, the band tore through a potent triple back to back: “Who Were You,” “Avoid the Drones,” and “Runouts”, each number showcasing razor tight musicianship, tasteful improvisation, and virtuosic soloing. The crowd erupted into a huge, well deserved burst of applause as the final notes rang out.
The night closed with an impressive four song encore, ending on the fan favourite “Brian,” complete with a slick, groovy drum dropout that lit up the room one last time. The Royal Albert Hall erupted into a full standing ovation, an emphatic acknowledgement of a truly special performance.
By the end, it was impossible not to feel moved. Alfa Mist reaffirmed his place as one of the most innovative genre bending artists in contemporary music, a musician not afraid to challenge conventions and push boundaries. I left inspired, buzzing, already eager to see him and his band perform again.
Words: Dom Le Brun
Pictures: Jake Phillip Davis