- Words Gabriel Mealor-Pritchard
- Photography Connie Burke
Head backstage with 19-year-old singer-songwriter d4vd, as he takes to KOKO's hallowed walls for a very special performance.
Last week, d4vd lit up the stage at one of London’s most iconic venues, KOKO. Showcasing his showstopping talent, he captivated fans with an electrifying performance of his obsessively streamed back catalogue. The night was a musical journey through his latest tracks, each song met by roaring applause, as the crowd experienced live renditions of their favourite hits, which sounded even more powerful and emotive in the intimate setting of Camden’s famous venue.
d4vd also had time to surprise fans with an exclusive performance of an unreleased song, creating a palpable energy that rarely left the room. The Houston teenager, who burst onto the scene after making original soundtracks for his Fortnite videos, sprawls various genres but the single seems to encapsulate a new stage of his sonic evolution.
As he continues to tease new music and embarks on the rest of his UK and EU tour, we caught up with d4vd to talk new music, the power of performance and what’s next.
d4vd, your recent show at KOKO was a huge success. Can you share some of the highlights from that night and what made it special for you?
One of my favourite parts of KOKO was performing my unreleased song, ‘There Goes My Baby’, with my band and the track’s producer, Scott James.
KOKO London is a historic venue with a rich legacy. How did performing there influence your show, and did it inspire any particular moments on stage?
Looking up and seeing five stories of beautiful theatre was inspiring. At soundcheck, I had to take a few pictures.
Your performances have been described as both electrifying and intimate. How do you maintain that balance of high energy and personal connection with your audience?
The change of moods/styles is something that we practised a tonne of in rehearsals. I make all different types of music, so it’s only natural to show that in the live show and make sure that it translates to emotions.
Your social media presence is known for its authenticity and engagement. How do you decide what to share with your fans, and how does it impact your relationship with them?
I follow some trends but I give them my own twist. I’ve been doing that since I started on social media, so nothing’s changed much. I always just try to keep it organic to me.
You’ve been releasing new music recently, ‘My House Is Not A Home,’ and your EP, Withering. What themes or messages are you hoping to convey through your latest tracks?
Just evolving the original sounds. ‘Leave Her’ is a better version of some of my earlier rock stuff and then ‘My House Is Not A Home’ is one of my favourite songs; I had to drop it.
In what ways do you feel your music has evolved since you started, and how do you see it continuing to grow in the future?
For most of last year, I thought about how a song in the studio would translate to performing it live. Now, I’m focused on putting together a proper album. Cohesiveness, but still a level of diversity.
Can you share a memorable interaction or story from your recent live shows that particularly stood out to you?
I was coming out on stage for ‘Romantic Homicide’ at my last show in LA and I literally fell off the stage. I wear a blindfold for that song so I can’t see that well and I walked clean off the ledge.
Following your recent successes and performances, what’s next on the horizon for d4vd?
Next is the album. That’s all that I’ve been thinking about.
