Music

CBC Music Live: Watch Emanuel perform Alt Therapy

The rising alt-R&B star performs his debut album at the Axis Club.

The rising alt-R&B star performs his debut album at the Axis Club

Emanuel at The Axis Club | CBC Music Live

3 years ago
Duration 36:02
The rising alt-R&B star performs his debut album, Alt Therapy at the Axis Club.

Emanuel knows how to start strong: his debut single, 2020's "Need You," came with a video that named actor Idris Elba as creative director. Two years later, the rising alt-R&B singer from London, Ont. has released two EPs and a debut full-length, amassing millions of streams, one Juno nomination and garnering critical acclaim for each release.

His debut album, Alt Therapy, came out in June 2021, but unfortunately the pandemic didn't allow for any significant touring. That's what made one evening in early December last year so special: he performed the debut album in full at the Axis Club in Toronto, with a full band and audience.

"Tonight is such an incredible time stamp, or full-circle moment," he told CBC Music. "A lot of fruition to the work that I've put in; the long nights, and the blood, the sweat and tears. It's not for nothing."

Watch the full concert above, recorded as part of CBC Music Live, a digital series featuring exclusive concert experiences from some of Canada's hottest artists. This season we're going into venues and packed houses to celebrate live music, and the unmistakable energy of being shoulder to shoulder with music fans ⁠— something we've been really missing lately.