Kicking off her tour with two sold-out nights at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, Tems makes it look easy, even amidst birthday celebrations whilst recovering from a cold. Acknowledging her past and offering us a glimpse into the future, Tems delivers a setlist which brings her debut album Born in the Wild to life.
Tems opens with “Higher,” from her EP For Broken Ears a song later sampled on Grammy-winning “WAIT FOR U” by Future and Drake. Whether recognised as a song which has been sampled or as the original, it’s a track that both her long-time fans and new listeners are sure to know.
My mind is at ease as Tems performs “Avoid Things” and “Replay” from her 2021 EP If Orange Was a Place, and her hit “Damages” from her first EP. She reaches further into the past, introducing us to her new era with the echoes of “1er Gaou” by Magic System. “Wickedest,” a song which pays homage to the Ivorian classic, also serves as a declaration, letting us know that Tems is “on [her] tunnel vision/moving on a mission.”
The next track from Born in the Wild is “Turn Me Up”. An experience which combines airy vocals with punchy lines. One of my favourites from the album, showing Tems’ ability to deliver confidence and captivate with different sounds all in one singular track. After turning up the heat Tems performs “Burning.” A soothing anthem of ambition and self-belief. “We’re all burning,” she sings, resonating with her listeners. She cools off with “Ice T,” moving gracefully along the stage offering the audience a refreshing laid-back sound from her first EP.
After letting us know that she can’t stay “Forever,” Tems disappears backstage, leaving us wondering. The wild scenery against which she performed in front of fades into BTS footage as the silence is filled with “Born in the Wild.” We’re given an insight into the making of Tems’ debut, showing her involvement in the songwriting and production of Born in the Wild.
As the audience settles, not knowing what is coming next, Tems dedicates the next song to someone who will “never know” it’s about them. “Boy o Boy” sets the tone for “Found,” her 2021 collaboration with Brent Faiyaz, whose verse she performs, requesting the audience’s help. With the theme of lost love, Tems continues her set with “Unfortunate,” another one of my favourites from the album. She delivers the bittersweet groove with the support of two backup singers, whose vocals play a crucial role in this song, where a balance between gratuity and disappointment is found.
“Not An Angel,” released in December 2023, didn’t make it onto Born In The Wild, despite being one of the singles released leading up to her debut. The live performance of another one of my faves did not disappoint. “They didn’t take our love,” says Tems, sending a message to keep loving even in the face of heartbreak.
After pouring out her heart to us Tems comes back with “Love Me JeJe,” putting her spin on Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit. It’s a sweet and fun summer song, where she invites the audience to join in a call-and-response chorus. “Essence,” a song that will always feel like summer to me, and “Me & U” close this segment; the former is her 2020 collaboration with Wizkid, and the latter was her first single leading up to Born in the Wild.
Tems finishes the show as she began it, with tracks from both her EPs: the vibrant “Crazy Tings” and reflective “Free Mind.” I left the concert with a new appreciation for Tems. Her ability to not only deliver powerful vocals but also to craft a performance which mirrors her journey as an artist. I look forward to seeing her return to London at All Points East, alongside KAYTRANADA and Victoria Monet.
What are your favourite Born in the Wild moments?
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