Stormzy’s much delayed arena tour in support of Heavy Is The Head made its way into town to play what must be one of the smaller venues on the tour so it was a much more up close and personal event.

The venue was packed to capacity with a crowd of 6,000 people from all age ranges all there with a common goal -  to see multi award winning Glastonbury headliner Stormzy.

During the opening bars of Big Michael, Stormzy appeared from on high to a thunderous response from the crowd, as he descended to the stage on a platform it was immediately obvious that this was going to be a big big show.

Bournemouth Echo: Stormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukStormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk

As Audacity and Know Me From followed in rapid succession the energy on the stage and in the crowd was boundless as the man promised us a special night and then delivered just that.

As the show continues with Crown, Do Better, Rachael’s Little Brother and Shut Up, we were treated to a stunning light show and pyrotechnics that all added to the atmosphere of one of the best performances I have seen here for many a year.

Bournemouth Echo: Stormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukStormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk

This is a gig that has been in the offering for two years now and he makes a point of thanking everyone who held on to their tickets and making the effort to come out to the show.

To be honest I can’t imagine that there were too many people who would have been willing to give up their tickets and miss the chance to see an artist who is currently at the top of his game and shows absolutely no sign of slowing down.

Bournemouth Echo: Stormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukStormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk

Stormzy is a fascinating performer who spends most of the gig on stage on his own and covers every inch of it with his boundless energy that both feeds the crowd and feeds off it.

He has led the way for UK rappers with No 1 singles, filling arenas and winning an Ivor Novello award for his 2018 album Gang Signs & Prayer.

Bournemouth Echo: Stormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukStormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk

He deserves every minute of tonight’s reaction from the crowd and more as he deliverers on all of that early promise and shows that he has developed in to a genuine leader who is taking this genre to new heights in the UK.

The show ended with a rousing version of Vossi Bop and suddenly it was all over.

Bournemouth Echo: Stormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukStormzy at the BIC. Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk

I am sure everyone who was there would agree that it was a fantastic night and well worth the wait. Also it may be one that we may not see here again as Stormzy may just be too big for the smaller arenas now.

Just as well we caught him when we did.