After scoring two gongs at this years Brit Awards, for best 'Best British Break Through Act' and 'Best British Single', it's no surprise that the audience crammed in to the O2 Leeds Academy, like Sardines.
The room was literally teaming with energy, Tinie's band shuffled onto stage, and as the man himself bounded in, the levels had gone from excitement to hysteria. Listening to the volume of screaming you were more likely to expect to see teen pop sensation, Justin Bieber up there.
Tinie Tempah aka Patrick Okogwu looked like a pop-star/paparazzi hybrid, wearing a fitted beige mack, shorts and sunglasses. The pint sized award winner jumped about the set, skipping from side to side of the platform ready to work the crowd.
Tinie Tempah and his band worked through his debut album Discovery, and surrounding that, was a well rehearsed and entertaining show. Over half way through the set, he decided to start a DJ-vs-band-athon. Asking the audience to decide who was better at covering tracks such as; Taio Cruz - Dynamite, Far East Movement - Like a G6 and Swedish House Mafia - One (know your name). Though predictably he couldn't idenify a winner, he was trying to ensure that his show could include everyone.
Tinie Tempah had the energy of a three year old,constantly bounding across the stage and spinning round, he was dedicated to make sure that everyone was on their feet and enjoying the gig as much as he was.
The man could command the audience to do what he wanted, he asked them to throw their hands up in the air, a sea of arms could be seen, and as soon as he asked the crowd to make a w, for 'Wonderman ' with their hands thousands of w's appeared in the crowd. Following the performance of 'Wonderman' Tinie gave a shout to his friend Ellie Goulding who features in the song, saying that it was shame she didn't win at the Brits.
The gig itself was full of inspirational words to the crowd, but it was clear that this 22 year old man just wanted to spread gratitude for the support from all his fans. He paused the songs for a minute spoke to the crowd, told them that whatever they wanted to achieve in life they could and used himself as an example, before dragging a fan up on stage.
The band began to play and the chorus of 'Invincible' echoed round the venue and Tinie sang the song to the giggling female fan. In the middle of the song he paused and the fan held up the two Brit awards Tnie had won, provoking yet more screams.
Other performances he got the crowd involved in were; Snap, this was set to a backdrop on a big screen of personal photographs from his childhood up until today. The song had an early 90s rap sound and this just added to the nostalgia of the lyrics. He encouraged everyone to take out their cameras and take a photo of him,that he could add and update to the slideslow. From the balcony all that could be seen were tiny lights off cameras and phones that looked liked thousands of stars in the sky.
The best reception was felt with two songs, 'Pass Out' and 'Frisky'. After taking his first break of the night he came out for an encore of this song. Everyone was on their feet during this point and Tinie pointed the mic to the crowd for the majority of the choruses confident that they would be able to sing the lyrics back to him.
Taking another break, the lights went down the band left the stage and a visual of a heart monitor flashed across the screen to the sound of a heartbeat. You could feel the energy in the crowd, this was the one song everyone had been anticipating and everyone around could sense it. Just before the atmosphere became hyperbolic he ran back onto stage and jumped straight into 'Pass Out'.
Tinie Tempah not only proved that he wasn't all hype but that he might want to consider a name change.
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