On a cold Saturday night in central London, 2000 fans queued around London’s “Here at Outernet” for what felt less like a conventional gig and more like an intimate gathering around one of internet pop’s fastest-rising stars. Singer,songwriter Zach Templar’s sold-out headline show drew a predominantly teenage audience — many of whom arrived early to secure prime spots at the barrier — creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation long before the first note was played.
Support came from Bristol newcomers Frau Nima, a five-piece indie rock band formed in January 2024. Despite having just a single track currently available on Spotify, they performed an impressive 45-minute set to an already full and attentive room. Drawing on clear 90s influences — Radiohead’s melodic introspection, Smashing Pumpkins’ layered guitar textures, and the emotional vulnerability of Jeff Buckley — the band delivered a solid performance that earned genuine appreciation from the crowd. I look forward to hearing more from them soon.
By the time Zach Templar emerged, the space was buzzing. And he made sure to mark the moment. He opened his set accompanied by a live gospel choir, which immediately elevated the room beyond its modest scale.
At just 18 years old, Templar already commands the stage and engages with the audience with remarkable ease. In one memorable exchange a fan called, “I love you, Zach,” prompting an unhesitating and heartfelt response: “I love you too.”
That intimacy carries directly into his lyrics. Templar’s songs circle universal themes — love, nostalgia, failed relationships, betrayal, and the ache of fond memories — articulated with emotional clarity that resonates especially strongly with his young audience. Nowhere was that connection more evident than during performances of material from his viral breakthrough “Missing Something.” The track, which exploded on TikTok before reaching 143 million Spotify streams, transformed the venue into a mass singalong, with fans belting every word back at him.
During the show, he took the bold step of climbing directly into the crowd, performing from the centre of the tightly packed audience while surrounded by glowing phone screens capturing every second up close. It perfectly encapsulated the relationship between artist and fans: no distance, no divide — just shared moments documented in real time.
While best known for wielding his guitar, Templar added variety by moving to the keyboard for one song. Musically, the set reinforced the DIY authenticity at the heart of his work. Writing, recording, and producing everything independently, his lo-fi sound remains intentionally intimate — as if listeners have been invited into his bedroom.
Despite the venue’s compact size, the evening never felt small. Moments of genuine closeness — the crowd choruses, direct interactions, and that daring venture into the audience — gave the show a scale defined by emotion rather than capacity.
Zach Templar’s sold-out London debut didn’t just confirm his growing popularity; it demonstrated a rare ability to turn digital fame into a profoundly human live experience.
Photographers notes
After the long queues to get in, I arrived as Frau Nima had just got underway. Cutting my way through the crowd to the pit I got armed with my two Canon R5s: one with a long lens and the other with an extreme wide angle. Turning on the cameras, one reported “No Card”. I couldn’t believe it – what a schoolboy error. With a central London show in a smaller venue, I had switched from my usual ThinkTank roller bag to a LowePro backpack, but hadn’t brought my spare cards and had left the CF card from my 2nd camera in the reader at home. Amateur! There wasn’t time to waste, and I got on with shooting Frau Nima, switching cards between bodies to get a mix of long and wide shots.
After the show I was racking my brains for what to do. Would any shops be open on a Sunday evening. Could I get out and back in time? I could always just shoot with one body. Then I remembered – Sami had brought her compact camera. I found her, and took out the SD card. Thankfully the Canon supports both CF and SD cards. It was a lower write speed, and would buffer but it would work. After that everything went smoothly.
Reminder to self, always, always check and re-check!
Zach Templar: Website | Instagram | Youtube
Frau Nima : Instagram | Youtube
Words by Sami McLeish
Photography by Kenny McLeish: Instagram