You might not expect to see a wave of leopard print-clad Gen X and Y-ers at Cardiff’s Y Plas, but that’s the crowd Tom Walker brought for his The Best Is Yet To Come tour, which celebrates the release of his second album. Delivering a set that stretches from previously unreleased songs to chart-peaking hits from his debut studio album, 2019’s What A Time To Be Alive, Walker keeps both serious fans and general pop-rock enthusiasts happy.

TikTok hit musician Persia Holder opens the show with a few of her beautiful songs about love and heartbreak, along with a Lewis Capaldi cover, before an excited crowd welcome Walker to the stage. Without introduction, his set kicks off with Not Giving In; an electric performance of Serotonin is up next, accelerating the energy in the room.

Breaking up the music with anecdotes about his relationship and home life, the Manchester-based Scot brings his genuine personality to the stage. We hear about his long-distance girlfriend now turned fiancée, and his acquisition of a piano from the 80-year-old woman who previously owned the couple’s house. After chatting about his own proposal, Walker helps a guy in the crowd get down on one knee, his hit Just You And I topping off the romantic occasion. Walker invites the crowd to sing along to the chorus in celebration of the lovebirds. 

The Best Is Yet To Come, a song Walker performed for the first time at the Pride Of Britain Awards, is well-received along with slow-tracks Better Half Of Me and Fly Away With Me, which raise the romantic tone in the room. The soulful vibes are continued with Walker’s powerful performance of Angels, a song about everyday, undercredited heroes in society. Switching between electric and acoustic guitar, it is clear that Walker knows his strings. A simple stage set is all that is needed to accompany the vocal and musical talent of Walker and his band. 

Walker doesn’t shy away from talking about pressing issues in today’s society, including suicide and politics. He dedicates Stigma to his late friend who lost their battle with mental illness, and reminds the crowd to check on family and friends often. Then he puts his frustration with the Tory government into protest single Number 10, which is met by cheers and applause from the crowd.

Wales and Scotland are known to have a good relationship, and this is put in place tonight as Walker and his band return to stage sporting Welsh flags and sheep and dragon hats for their encore performance. Crowd favourite Leave The Light On completes an intimate and heartfelt midweek gig, leaving the audience on a high.   

Tom Walker, Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union, Tue 28 Mar 

words EVE DAVIES photos OWIN WONG