friqtao was born in Paris and is now based in the UK, and the distance between those two places is audible in everything he makes. His entry into piano wasn’t exactly conventional. He ditched his guitar practice sessions to explore what else his music school had to offer, eventually landing on an instrument that would define him. The real turning point came during a year abroad in Paris, where he started playing the public pianos scattered across train stations and filming it. No stage, no setup, just him and whatever crowd happened to walk by.
Those videos caught on. A 2022 cover of Harry Styles’ “As It Was” was the spark. Daily uploads followed, and so did 3.7 million TikTok followers. The beanie and headphones became shorthand for a specific kind of intimacy. Pop and hip-hop filtered through piano, made to feel like something personal rather than a performance. His references run wide, from Michael Jackson soundtracking his childhood home to later obsessions with Avicii and XXXTENTACION, influences that don’t obviously belong together but somehow do in his hands.
He previously released “Lifestream,” his debut EP, which was warmly received and helped expand his audience even further. Another major milestone came when he was selected for Amazon Music’s 2026 Artist to Watch list, a recognition that placed him firmly on the radar of a wider global audience.
Building on that momentum, he now returns with “Lifestream 2,” a natural continuation of his earlier work.
“Lifestream 2” opens with “Raindrops,” whose gentle melody offers a warm and memorable introduction to the project. Next comes “Glitches,” a piece that leans more toward classical sensibilities, letting emotion unfold through its carefully shaped phrases.
“Congratulations” carries a subtle melancholic tone, though it never slips into sadness, giving the piece a reflective yet uplifting character. “SOS” begins with a siren-like sound before the piano enters, driving the track forward with urgency and speed. Finally, “fristyle” closes the EP with a powerful and introspective ending, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of reflection.
To celebrate the release of “Lifestream 2,” friqtao is currently touring the UK and Europe, bringing his new piano compositions to intimate stages across the continent. The run opened March 10 at The Jazz Cafe in London and continues with stops at POP UP! in Paris, Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam, Théâtre du Villars Palace in Ollon, Quasimodo in Berlin, and Ideal Bar in Copenhagen. The shows reflect friqtao’s shift from viral online performances to a growing presence on live stages. Tickets for the remaining dates are available here.
photos / Jesse Koch
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