Truck Records on the Cowley Road in Oxford is a unique venue; it’s also one of my favourites. The humdrum of traffic, commuters and those kicking off their night behind the shop’s bay windows give it an atmosphere that’s irresistible. It’s a one-of-a-kind venue, and that made it perfect for a one-of-a-kind performer, Master Peace.
Having burst onto the scene in 2024 with debut album ‘How To Make A Master Peace,’ he’s steadily built momentum, hit after hit, award after award. From being singled out by Rolling Stone Magazine to winning the Rising Star Award at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2024, his blend of genres, harnessing the powers of indie and UK rap has built a beyond solid fan base.
But on a Friday night, as he stepped out from behind the till to an audience of 40 or so, it was clear those awards hadn’t changed the person behind the performer. With a grin beaming across his face, he looked ready for the gig ahead, eager to kick off the drop of his second album that day with a bang.
On his sophomore LP ‘if i don’t love you who will?’, Master Peace navigates the emotions of breaking up, from the ego-centric highs to the ‘oh sh*t’ realisations, and as he got things going that night, he didn’t stray away from any of it.
Fizzing with energy, each song was introduced with a sidebar recollection, delving into very real moments from the breakup, but with the giddy optimism that often defines his music. From seeing his ex’s new partner to bumping into old friends, each the perfect interlude for guitarist George to tee up the following track. It was bold, but it definitely worked, the intimate audience laughing and smiling in shared solidarity.
It’s obvious why Master Peace’s fans love him, because in moments like this he comes across as real, just excited to be on stage, connect with those in front of him and have a good time. I realise his first album hit ‘I Might Be Fake’, may ironically say otherwise, but when you look around the room and see every fan singing every lyric, it’s hard to deny.
Amongst relationship recollections and each energy-filled track, Master Peace also delivered some gems of insight for the crowd. Performing the literally and lyrically reflective ‘back at me’, he tells us about Dominic Fike comparisons and the influences that informed the album. Then, with ‘Sucker Punch ’, he lets the audience in on what it meant to work with the renowned producer and songwriter John Ryan.
Regularly shouting out guitarist George and those behind the scenes like vocalist Polly Money, it’s clear Master Peace loved every step of the process on this. So when he got the crowd chanting each chorus to the joyfully infectious ‘Good Times’ and ‘Spin The Block’, you could see what it meant to him. Two tracks with in-game features on the new NBA 2K and EA FC 26, they’re laden with instant nostalgia and show just how well Peace communicates the energy of his own personality.
As the gig came to a close, all I could think about was the pure joy and energy in the room; if anyone had come unconvinced, they’d certainly be leaving a convert. You could draw comparisons to early Dev Hynes’ Lightspeed Champion, Bakar or even, as Peace himself did, to Dominic Fike, but the reality is Master Peace won his Rising Star Award for a reason. This is an artist just hitting his stride, and I for one, will be excited to see what he achieves next.
Images: Ian Hanham
Images: Ian Hanham
The post Master Peace Brings Pure Energy and Heart to Oxford’s Truck Records for Album Launch appeared first on Indie is not a genre.