Words and images by Keira Oldfield

In April, Caity Baser melted hearts at The Dome, London. From the moment she stepped onto the stage; she captured every soul in the room with her raw voice and piano that weaved a spell of vulnerability. It was a moment that encapsulated the newly expressed shift in her music – a journey from catchy hooks to heart-wrenching honesty. As she performed tracks from her latest album, it was obvious that this wasn’t just a concert; she was sharing an intimate confession, one that proved her growth as a songwriter and her profound willingness to bare her soul to the world. 

In an interview before the show, Caity spoke candidly about how the upcoming record marks a turning point for her career: “For so long I have been hiding behind the colours, ridiculous outfits and the ridiculous dancing – which is exactly who I am as a person”, she admitted, “But I think for the first time ever, I want the main focus to be on the music, lyrics and meaning behind the songs”. The work that’s come out of this revelation is strikingly personal – a compilation of her tackling themes such as heartbreak, grief and self-discovery mixed with undeniable honesty. 

Tracks like Weight of You explore the pain of being wrongfully mistreated by someone very close to her (with the classic Caity Baser comical twist —genuinely thrilled they were gone, like being let out early from emotional prison), while As I Am delves into the inner complexities of falling in love with someone who wouldn’t change anything about you, and loves you completely for who you are. This shift in her lyrical focus doesn’t only strengthen her connection to her own music but also to her fans, who have embraced Caity’s change, from an angsty and inexperienced version of herself to connected and ready to embrace the complexities of life with open arms: “It’s like a worldwide journal that I can share an experience with everyone”, she explains. 

She transformed The Dome from a grotty London club to an intimate community, where fans can sing their hearts out. She ditched the theatrics and kept the performance very stripped back. With simply her voice and a piano, the room became a sacred space. Caity’s vocals were utterly haunting. Her tone was delicate yet powerful, every word carried the weight of a confession. Opening with the first single of this era Watch That Girl (She’s Gonna Say It) – a clever spoof of tour’s title of Watch That Girl (She’s Gonna Say Sing It) – the jazzified, piano-backed version set the tone for the evening. This was a Caity we had never seen before. 

Between each song, Caity bared all, sharing with the crowd the inspirations and experiences that led to the creation of the tracks, whilst using this influence to inspire others to be vulnerable with themselves. The stripped back arrangements allowed her lyrics to take centre stage, drawing the adoring fans into her world and enabling them to really understand the concept of each unreleased piece without the theatrics that, without a doubt, will fill the upcoming release. And for each song, the entire audience was enthralled by the ‘new’ Caity, the rawness of the lyrics and the safe space they created.  

The standout moment of the evening came with a devastatingly raw rendition of Weight of You. Laced in the anger, pain and pure devastation of the poor treatment she experienced, the song encapsulated every emotion you could think of and more.  As the song built, her voice became hoarse, thick and teary. There was almost a crack from sheer emotion. It made the music and lyrics even more powerful and daunting. Another highlight was Beautiful Girl, which she described on-stage as “a conversation with little Caity”. The lyrics were both poignant and effective, and captured an essence of nostalgia that resonated with others around the room. Closing with her latest single Running from Myself – which Caity described as “about sometimes having to put on a mask to be ‘Caity Baser’ and no longer running from herself but running head-first into it and not being afraid of that”. 

The performance wasn’t remarkable simply for the music; it was the way we were opened into Caity’s emotional world. She created a space where vulnerability wasn’t frowned upon, it wasn’t only safe but celebrated through such a deeply personal experience. It is more than obvious that this new chapter (in both her personal and professional life) isn’t solely about personal growth, it is about connection. She explained: “I wanted to make sure everybody feels included and that they can talk to or reach out to me, because they can. I am human too, I’m no better than anybody”. Her sentiment was crystal clear as her warmth and gratitude radiated throughout the night, creating a sense of closeness that lingered in the room. There was flowing intimacy in the way she stayed connected with the crowd, her gestures—like handing out sunflowers—felt less like performance and more like heartfelt thanks. 

With this tour, Caity has proven that growth isn’t a simple journey, but it’s always worth it. Her willingness to confront every aspect of herself and write so openly has not only raised her level of artistry but also deepened her relationship with her fans. It was more than just a performance; it was a testament of music’s ability to heal and unite. As she finished her set and walked off stage, with an infinite amount of ‘I love yous’ and kisses blown to each bystander, the atmosphere buzzed. Claps, cheers, and a few tears being shed by her die-hard fans adorned the room. One thing is certainly clear: this is only the beginning of a brilliant chapter for Caity Baser.