Lil Tecca – The Dopamine Experience (O2 Academy, Birmingham)
I’m not exaggerating when I say this was the sweatiest gig I’ve ever attended in my life. I’ve never felt the urge to take my t-shirt off at a concert before, but the heat and humidity were so intense that I had to do it just to try and cool down — and most of the crowd did the same. When I arrived at 07:45 (doors opened at 07:00), the queue was still snaking up the hill and around the corner outside Birmingham’s O2 Academy. This was the final UK date of Lil Tecca’s Dopamine Experience, and fans absolutely embraced every moment of his performance.
Before Tecca took the stage and turned the venue into a sauna, two upcoming artists warmed up the crowd. Ffawty came out first and delivered a set so high-energy it felt like we were already watching a headliner. His stage presence, energy, and crowd control were top-tier and really amped up the atmosphere ahead of Tecca’s appearance. Next up was South London’s own Kairo Keyz — someone I hadn’t heard of before the show, but who I immediately looked up and explored after the event. Definitely both ones to watch.
Lil Tecca hit the stage shortly after 9 PM, but even before that, the atmosphere inside was stifling. I genuinely don’t know how some people made it through the rest of the night. Credit to the venue staff who regularly handed out water to fans packed into the standing area — but it only helped a little. Considering how many events the O2 Academy hosts weekly, they really need to invest in proper air conditioning or at least fans to help cool the room during packed gigs like this.
Tecca performed his entire set from an elevated platform surrounded by a massive inflatable boombox, which made him more visible to the crowd — at least in theory. In reality, unless you were in the square standing section right in front of the stage, catching a full glimpse of him was near impossible. The venue’s balcony blocked views for many, and the chaotic lighting, combined with heavy use of fog machines, made it even harder to see him clearly. I moved around the crowd several times to try and get a better view, but it didn’t make much difference.
I don’t usually have much negative feedback when it comes to concerts, but as someone who goes to a lot of gigs, I feel it’s fair to say: if I’m seeing an artist live, I want to actually see them — and not have that experience ruined by poor lighting or atmospheric effects. In this case, I feel like the production team slightly let Tecca down in terms of stage setup and visual accessibility.
Despite that, Lil Tecca’s stage presence was undeniable. He kept the energy high for the full hour-long set, commanding the crowd like a seasoned performer. His fanbase is clearly loyal and passionate, and Tecca knew how to keep them engaged — calling for mosh pits and challenging Birmingham to bring more energy than the other cities on the tour.
It’s easy to forget Tecca is still only 22 (nearly 23) given how much he’s already accomplished. From collaborating on the Ransom remix with the late, great Juice WRLD (long live Juice), to working with artists like The Kid LAROI, Lil Tjay, Polo G, Lil Durk, Skrillex, and Lil Uzi Vert — his career is full of highlights. His fanbase keeps growing, and it’s easy to see why.
Some of my personal favourites that I’d recommend: Ransom, Out of Love, Selection, When You Down, OWA OWA, Dark Thoughts, and The Kid LAROI’s Diva (featuring Tecca).
