The 502s & Jamie McIntyre Deliver a Night of Warmth and Wonder at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town
Written and Captured By | Alexandra Peter-Thomas
The rain drizzled as the venue began to open its doors. Fans clutched their tickets with anticipation for the evening ahead—and an evening it was. In all my years photographing, I haven’t been impressed in quite some time as I have been tonight. Let me introduce you to two incredible artists that you should keep your eye on, and if you wish to see Jamie McIntyre, he will be playing The Camden Assembly on March 12th.
Jamie McIntyre’s set opened with “Half The World Away” by Oasis, delivered with the kind of warmth and intimacy that makes a room feel smaller than it is. Even with the weight of the occasion hanging in the air—it was the biggest show he’s played in his career—you could feel the hard work in every pause, every smile, every breath between songs. He eased into “West Is Home,” leaning fully into the pull of distance, belonging, and return—themes deeply rooted in his Irish heritage—a tender ode to his hometown.
See more photos of Jamie McIntyre HERE
That heritage came through not just in the stories, but in the sound. His use of the bouzouki—an instrument central to traditional Irish music—added such a warm, textured folk richness to his performance. You’d never know he’s only been playing it for a year, despite it already being an integral part of his set, weaving melody and rhythm in a way that grounded the performance in tradition while still feeling personal and contemporary. The audience’s reception echoed off the walls with deep appreciation.
“Melbourne” stood out as a moment of quiet storytelling: a song about a girl he wrote for after just 48 hours of meeting her, who later moved to Australia. They never spoke or saw one another again. He joked about getting a date and a kiss out of the short-lived flame, the crowd laughing softly at the bittersweet honesty. His humor landed so well you couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy the moment in time.
As his set drew to a close with “Candy,” “Outside the City,” and “Over the Galway Town,” the room was left warm, satisfied, and enticed for The 502s.
See more photos of The 502s HERE
As the crowd waited patiently for the long-awaited headliner, The 502s took to the stage with bouncy Maitland, Florida energy straight out of the gate. Their folk-orchestral sound reverberated off the venue’s walls with an exuberant blend of roots, rock, bluegrass, and alternative/indie-country leanings. With this show marking the largest venue they’ve played to date, it felt incredibly special for those in attendance. Their stage presence was delivered with relentless momentum—quite an impressive feat for a band that has already toured the UK five times and steadily built a devoted audience on these shores.
From the opening beats of “Sayonara,” the energy barely dipped for a second. “Hey Julia,” “Friday Night,” and “Summer Flight” landed like communal celebrations rather than performances. The crowd was instantly responsive and eager to give back every ounce of enthusiasm the band offered them. Deeper into the set, songs like “Like My Father,” “Waves,” and “Skinny Dipping” struck a fine balance between heartfelt reflection and pure joy, while tracks such as “Something’s Gonna Go Our Way” and “You Belong” felt almost hypnotic in the way the room sang along.
See more photos of The 502s HERE
The band’s history in the UK goes way back—from The Dublin Castle in 2018 with The Trusted, Electric Sofa, and The Wilbur Project, through Omera, Scala, Electric Ballroom, and Electric Brixton. They’ve flourished beautifully here, and the connection was unmistakable in the crowd’s reaction. After highlights like “Hey Honey,” “Perfect Portrait,” and “Feels Good,” the warmth between band and audience was undeniable. By the time they closed their set with “Just A Little While,” the crowd cheered in a way that made it one of those nights where explanation falls short—you truly just had to be there. It was exemplary.
