Live review: Chri$tian Gate$' Camden Underworld Takeover

Genre-defying, underrated hero of the alternative music scene, Chri$tian Gate$ made a stop at The Underworld while on tour with VOILÀ for his own exclusive headliner. With Dutch Melrose in tow, the pair left their mark on this iconic London venue for one intimate night only.

Kicking off the night in style, Dutch Melrose wasted no time setting the tone with his genre-blending sound, powerhouse vocals, and an opener that had the crowd hooked from the very first beat. More than just a close friend of Gate$ himself, Dutch proved he’s an artist with a serious musical arsenal. Backed by a dynamic band, he turned the room into a high-energy party long before the headliner even hit the stage.

The Underworld’s intimate, no-barrier setup offers fans a rare, up-close experience—one that can easily expose an artist who isn’t comfortable in the spotlight. But for Melrose, the lights only amplified his confidence. The band embraced the setting, breaking down every barrier between stage and audience. They took fans’ phones on stage, dove into the crowd to perform, and even kept the energy alive with an impromptu Q&A while a guitar malfunction was fixed. Overall, it was refreshing to see a crowd so responsive to an opener, and it set the energy for Gate$ perfectly.

Bursting onto the stage just 15 minutes after Dutch Melrose’s exit, Chri$tian Gate$ made a dazzling entrance in a black sequined jacket that shimmered under the lights. The energy in the room never really dipped, but with his arrival, it skyrocketed. Known for his high-vitality, genre-blending sound, Gate$ brings that same electric energy to his live performances—and London was no exception.

Something that really stood out during the performance was the construction of the setlist. Each track flowed seamlessly into the next, creating a sense of momentum that kept the crowd hooked from start to finish. There were no awkward pauses or dips in energy—just a carefully curated journey that balanced high-intensity anthems with moments of vulnerability.

Gate$ is a natural-born charmer, effortlessly pulling the crowd into his world until they were eating out of the palm of his hand. Between songs, he delivered a perfect mix of witty banter, sarcastic jabs, and quirky anecdotes—covering everything from the personal stories behind his tracks to his own hilarious take on the age-old “Why did the chicken cross the road?” joke. Every moment felt unpredictable, keeping the audience on their toes and hanging on his every word.

His crowd presence was nothing short of magnetic. From the front row to the very back of the venue, no one was left out. Gate$ made it his mission to connect with every fan—darting through the crowd mid-performance, crowd surfing, and making the most of The Underworld’s no-barrier setup by getting as close to the audience as they were to him. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a shared experience, raw and electric from start to finish.

This was my first time seeing both Dutch Melrose and Chri$tian Gate$, and I would highly recommend it. Personally, I am eagerly anticipating their next endeavour in the UK—not only was the show 10/10 from start to finish, but it was clear that these men do not take their fame for granted, which is almost lovely to see among artists. After the show, both bands took time to meet fans, sign merch, and carry the connection built on stage into real life. It was a wholesome show of pure musical connection and something the industry needs more of.

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