Since supporting megastar Taylor Swift on her huge US tour for the last 6 months, it is no surprise that Gracie Abrams has reached even further heights in her already successful career. The highly anticipated (sold-out) O2 Academy show last Sunday created a buzz around the city for weeks beforehand. Having listened to Gracie myself for a while now, I was extremely excited not only to watch her magnetic stage presence in the flesh, but also to see how far she has come as an artist since her last show in the city at the Trinity Centre. I was not disappointed.
As I walked down to the venue, the queues had an electric sense of anticipation. Despite the diabolical weather conditions, nothing swayed the excitable group of fans. Hundreds of bows could be seen in multitudes of colors to show their admiration for their beloved artist. Going into the academy itself was a mission, with the entire place being packed to the brim. Getting to the floor was impossible. According to social media updates, fans had been queuing for hours before the gig had taken place, battling it out for the prime spots next to the stage.
After a beautiful opener of Searows, the crowd was more than ready for the night to be underway. Since the release of her debut album “Good Riddance,” there was no doubt in my mind that Abrams would not be met with a venue-shattering roar of screams as she entered the stage.
Starting the night off with ‘Where Do We Go Now,’ a beloved fan favorite with deep relatability about the uncertainty of a failing relationship. The repetitive chorus of ‘Where do we go now’ echoed loudly by her fans as if they were in a large therapy session altogether. As this is the first time Abrams has debuted as a headliner, it was no surprise that most of the impressive 19-song setlist was packed with tunes from her album. Not that anybody could be heard complaining over the screams of adoration.
The intimate tones of all her songs can be felt prominently in her show set up, with no flashy visuals or crazy lights. Abrams lets her voice and her fantastic band do all the work, proving her growth as an artist since touring more frequently. Her stage presence, despite her slower, ballad-like songs, still lit up the room. Often reaching down to touch fans’ hands and smiling and waving throughout her entire performance, which drove her fans crazy. Abrams perfectly encapsulates human emotion and the connections that we have in our lives, poetically bringing together all these feelings while performing live. You can tell that the stories that she sings hit her just as hard as her fan base. It was hard at times to hear her incredible vocal skill over the bellows of the crowd before her. Her words meaning so much to a group of people, it was a beautiful thing to hear.
‘Amelie’ spoke out to me on a personal level, its dreamlike words about the infatuation that she had with a girl that she had not known for long hits you right in the feels. It was this song that LGBTQ flags shimmered in the air, her queer fan base leaning into the relatable lyrics like a hug.
Gracie also delighted gig-goers with fan favorites ‘Feels Like’ and ‘Stay’. From the balcony, phone torches could be seen popping up throughout the venue to the two highly emotive tracks. If I glanced left or right, I could see friends and lovers holding onto each other as if the powerful vocals and intricate instrumentals would sweep away their sense of balance.
Leaving the venue, I did not see many dry eyes. The night had been so anticipated by the city. It was no surprise that a deep sense of camaraderie had been created between artist and crowd. Abrams managed to turn songs that you would listen to softly in your ears while reminiscing on memories in your room, to a potent display of her dynamism as a lyricist and performer without going overboard. It truly did feel like a group session of healing for everyone involved. I have no doubt that the intimate sense of belonging that she creates at her live shows will take her to new heights as her fan base and sound as an artist evolves.
Images: Amy Waisler
Rosie Risdale @rosie_sh00ts
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
I am a portrait, fashion, and music photographer. I review and interview, and am also available for press shoots and album covers.
Qualification: Attending the University of the West of England for photography
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: The first gig I ever went to was to watch Bad Sounds at SWX in Bristol. The last was Conan Gray!
First gig shot: The first gig I ever shot was for an amazing band called Overpass.
Dream gig: I would die to see, shoot, or interview Loyle Carner!
