American artist Iniko brought their Awakening Tour to the UK, and I couldn’t have been more excited. I’ve been following them since 2021, when I first heard Jericho, and after their debut studio album, The Awakening, dropped in early 2025, I was really hoping a UK tour would follow. Thankfully, it did!

I had the unique privilege of being the only accredited photographer for their Birmingham gig at the O2 Institute—a small, intimate space that made the experience even more special.

Iniko is a truly remarkable talent. They didn’t just meet my expectations—they blew them out of the water. Their vocals were stunning, and the band’s tightness and consistency made the show feel flawless. Before the set, their tour manager pulled me aside with a heads-up: shoot the first three songs, then wait until the end of the show to capture the encore. “It’s going to be really special,” they said. And they weren’t wrong. Iniko saved Jericho for the final moments, and being there to witness it live was a genuinely privileged experience.

It was a one-of-a-kind concert—intimate, electrifying, and unforgettable.