Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner, whose birth name is Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, was born in South East London in 1994. Carner attended the Brit School to study for an acting degree before leaving to pursue a career in music. 

Following a self-released EP, A Little Late, in 2014, Loyle unveiled his debut single proper ‘Tierney Terrace’ / ’Florence’ on Transgressive singles imprint paradYse, and started to create industry and media buzz. He supported Joey Badass on the UK leg of his tour before playing the 2015 festival circuit which included a slot at Glastonbury. He carried on honing his live performance skills with support slots for Kate Tempest and Nas and at the end of the year was named in the BBC’s Sound of 2016.

In January 2017, Carner released his debut album Yesterday’s Gone which received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The record was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize and was ranked number one on The Independent’s list of best albums of the year, having also appeared in the lists of NME, Evening Standard, RIOT and Wonderland. 

At the 2018 BRIT Awards, Carner was nominated for British Breakthrough Act and British Male Solo Act, while at the NME Awards he won the Best British Solo Artist award.

Carner’s second album, Not Waving, But Drowning, was released in April 2019 and again was met with high praise and landed Carner with his highest chart position as the record debuted at number three. He was later nominated for Best Solo Act at the 2019 Q Awards. The year culminated in a sell out tour, including Carner’s first headline arena appearance at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Carner is also known as a keen philanthropist and has used his voice to champion key causes. He has founded a cookery school for children with ADHD and often speaks out about gender equality and mental health. Last year he put together an art exhibition, which featured work by the Connor Brothers and Damien Hirst, with all proceeds going to the suicide prevention charity CALM.