Kaytranada kicks of All Points East 2024 with a bang

With the third Kaytranada record Timeless only a few months old, producer Louis Celestin has a new arsenal of material to work with, and a whole lot of people desperate to take it all in as he gives the album its UK live debut.

Whereas 2019's Bubba had the hits, Timeless brings consistency. The record is more cohesive, playing out strongly from start to finish. Yes, there are hits on there – collaborations with Childish Gambino and PinkPantheress – but there’s certainly nothing to match to the likes of the Kali Uchis-featuring “10%”.

Ahead of Celestin's set, Thundercat and Victoria Monét rile up the crowd, with the former bringing overt musicality, and the latter channelling Janet Jackson as she struts about the stage in a trench coat, hat and walking stick before revealing a more risque outfit underneath. Both are a strong choice for the lineup, as a contrast to each other, and to Kaytranada.

The setup for Kaytranada is one that relies heavily on visuals, and while Monét stuns with dancers and choreography, the evening's headliner wows with talented programmers and lighting. It's set that comes to life as night falls over London: smoke, pyro and trippy visuals surround the 31-year-old as he takes his place centre stage over a table and decks. Decked out in a football t-shirt, Celestin has energy and charm, augmented by goofy dancing and ad-libbed vocals.

Celestin's sound hits much harder live than on record. With a behemoth discography for an artist with so few records, there are some obvious glaring omissions (“What You Need” and anything with Tinashe, for example). As we’re guided through cult classics and current favourites, remixes old and new (Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better,” Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” and the everlasting “Be Your Girl” with Teedra Moses), every track is met by gasps of surprise and excitement from the crowd, and jaws drop as an endless variety of visuals flash across the six pillared screens behind him. Channel Tres even comes out to perform with him after taking the stage earlier that day.

As Celestin resolves the set on “Breakdance Lesson N.1” – from his 2016's debut 99.9% – he fades the track out halfway and raises both hands for a mic drop with maximum braggadocio. It's a more than deserving bow for an artist who has earned this slot – and he knows it. He’s not a performer, he's a musician, and the wisdom in attending his shows is simply understanding the difference.