“This is my favourite show yet … in fact, it’s my favourite show ever”

Words by Keira Oldfield

Last week, up and coming pop sensation Grace Davies brightened the stage at Colours
Hoxton – a cozy venue that is known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse range of
events. With lots of upcoming singles (including MDE being released to streaming
services on 28th March), the bar was set extremely high as fans were eager to hear her
music, both old and new.

For a small venue, its atmosphere sure does pack a punch. The foyer adorned a small
merch section, an enticing bar, a vintage photobooth and a karaoke booth tucked neatly
next to it; everything you could ever need on a girls’ night out. The gig space itself is
wrapped round to the side of the main space. It is a very small room (also with its own
bar), but that doesn’t shy away from the impressive technical set up that helps to bring
it all to life.

Grace herself is someone to keep an eye on, especially if you like to say you have been a
fan of a major pop girlie since the earlier days. With over 100 million overall streams on
Spotify, having her songs featured in major British TV shows (such as Love Island, I’m A
Celebrity (Get Me Out of Here), Eastenders and Hollyoaks) she has already made her
mark. She was also the runner up in 2017’s The X Factor and impressed the viewers by
performing her own catalogue for the entirety of the show, which is something that was
almost frowned upon before. Her discography included music from a variety of genres
such as pop, ballads, pop-rock, and even some R&B thrown into the mix. Grace
encompasses everything you need in a pop icon. She is like Anne-Marie’s cool younger
sister, Olivia Rodrigo’s best friend and Adele’s empowered, raw counterpart, blending
catchy pop with soulful depth in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. All of this was
proved through her live performance.

Opening with her dark pop ‘Wolves’, Davies instantly connected with the crowd. They
had memorised every line and made sure she knew this through the sheer volume they
sang along to her with. For a crowd of around 250 people, she definitely made it feel like
she was selling out a massive venue. Her setlist was balanced with fan favourites, like
‘Do or Die’, upcoming tracks, such as ‘MDE’, and even a stunning cover of ‘The Winner
Takes It All’ by ABBA.

Grace’s vocal performance can’t be described as anything short of stunning. Even
though she shared that she was suffering from tonsillitis, her performances of songs like
‘Butterflies’ and ‘Amsterdam’ just proved her skill. These tracks highlighted her range
and vocal control, while her upbeat songs allowed her to demonstrate her vocal agility
and let out her fun side. Her and her band were so in tune with each other. This was
even more of a joy to see as each member had been part of the creative process of her
upcoming music. Everyone in that room felt like part of the family, being immersed with
Grace herself as well as getting to experience the tracks with the people that created
them. And in the moments where she wasn’t singing, she seamlessly interacted with
the crowd. Cheers and claps constantly filled the room, and everyone had a huge
cheshire grin adorning their faces.

After the show, I had the chance to chat with Grace, who shared just how deeply the
performance resonated with her. She explained that bringing her album to life on stage
with the very people who helped create it was an incredibly special experience. “Paul
[her bassist and producer] isn’t a live performer, so bringing him into this show means
so much,” she said. Grace was visibly grateful for the turnout and how engaged and
interactive the crowd had been. Reflecting on the night, she said, “This is my favourite
show yet… in fact, my favourite show ever.”

Having had the privilege of seeing Grace perform live, I can confidently say she’s an
artist to watch. Her engrossing lyricism, smooth vocals, and magnetic personality—
both on and off stage—make her a standout talent in the pop scene. It’s clear that she’s
on the path to becoming a pop icon, and I highly recommend getting on board now
before she’s selling out arenas and taking the world by storm.