GRACIE ABRAMS DAZZLES SYDNEY

The singer has kicked off her sold-out Australian tour!

Image: Supplied.

Last night, Sydney was wrapped up in hair-bows for the arrival of pop darling, Gracie Abrams. Fans flooded Qudos Bank Arena for the first show of the singers hotly-anticipated sold-out Australian tour, dressed in flowing dresses, glitter and of course, hair bows - Abrams’ fans own version of the friendship bracelets that reached notoriety on The Eras Tour. Whilst the venue housed twenty thousand fans last night, Abrams was able to capture magic to create a shared experience that felt as intimate as it did grand.

Keeping the crowd in anticipation, California-based RIAA Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Ashe warmed the crowd up with songs from her trilogy of albums; Ashlyn, Rae and Wilson. Bringing her warm vocal tones and genre-bending palette (effortlessly traversing pop, rock and psychedelia), it was clear there was a cross-over of fanbases between both artists, with audience members singing-a-long to each song, embracing their friends and lighting up the arena with their phone torches. It’s become somewhat of a rare treat to see such engagement for a support act, Ashe well and truly served as a great fit for The Secret Of Us Tour. However, it would have been a nice addition to see homegrown talent share the stage with Abrams - a trend that is becoming increasingly prevalent with international touring artists.

Upon rapturous screams from fans, Abrams appeared on stage shrouded in screens, opening her set with Felt Good About You. “Sydney this is crazy this is actually crazy I can not believe this room I can not believe all of you, welcome to The Secret of Us Tour,” Abrams greeted the crowd, before sharing her hopes for the evening. “I hope this show is exactly whatever you need it to be tonight.” What followed was an evening of raw and unfiltered tunes, where the singer strived to showcase charisma and genuine artistry. Having spent the better part of 2023 supporting global superstar Taylor Swift on her record-breaking The Eras Tour, it is clear Abrams has picked up a few tricks from her touring mate. Taking breaks throughout the set to mingle with her fans, often accepting gifts from them mid-song, and conversing with them in a manner that felt genuine. She was often flustered by the large crowd, exhibiting a sincere gratitude for spending their Friday evening with the singer. 

The audience, of course, took the opportunity to soak up every lyric, note and word that fell from Abrams lips, often pairing the singers signature emotion-driven songs with rave-like dance moves. They jumped, screamed, danced, laughed and cried to their favourite songs, filming themselves doing all of the above - a new trend that has reared its head at concerts over the past twenty four months. To get a closer glimpse of her audience, Abrams invited the crowd into her bedroom. A b-stage of sorts resembled the singers bedroom from her teen years when she began sharing music on social media platforms and building her audience. Here she performed a cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, which she cites as “the best song ever,” and I Miss You, I’m Sorry - the latter of which she filmed a music video for in her bedroom. She also shared a thought she had earlier in the day of the nature of live music; “The concept of concerts are so… they feel kind of like foreign. Like the idea of being in a room like this with a bunch of people who are complete strangers to one another. But everyone is screaming and dancing and sometimes crying. And having all of these… feelings. And I personally crave that experience, and the fact that I get to do this with all of you specifically like is the reason that I love this so much.” That is the wonder of a Gracie Abrams show, the driving connection she and her fans share.

The Secret Of Us Tour makes it clear that whilst Abrams is a bonafide songwriter, she is also a strong vocalist. She often hits soaring high notes whilst standing behind her guitar or strutting across the stage, particularly in Where Do We Go Now? and That’s So True. Performing barefoot in a shimmering gown, her stage presence at times seemed timid, however her facial expressions perfectly captured the emotions present within each song - something some of her contemporary counterparts have yet to master. The singer delivered a masterclass in modern pop sincerity; relying solely on her songwriting prowess and vocals to lure the audience in to her world. The tours production took a minimalist approach, further creating an intimate relationship between Abrams and her doting audience. Through stripping it all back, Abrams placed emphasis on what it is that has made her a household name; the music. At this stage of her career, she is still finding her place within the world of live music and touring - deviating away from putting on a pop-spectacle. Instead, the singer has focused on crowd engagement and creating personal experiences with her audience that will further fuel her longevity within the music industry.