Cassadee Pope
The O2 Academy Islington // London, England // 13 May, 2019
Photos and review by Rachael Dowd
Although London isn’t exactly known for country music, that did not stop Cassadee Pope, winner of The Voice in America and pop-country superstar, from putting on an intimate and memorable performance for the London crowd last week.
With her backing band and an acoustic guitar, Cassadee effortlessly brought each of her songs to life from her hefty 13-song set list. Leading off with “Take You Home,” one of the most popular songs off of her latest album, Stages, that was released earlier this year, it was evidently clear that her music has made waves across the pond, everyone in the crowd singing along to the song’s infectious lyrics about finding a new love.
While she was sure to include a number of songs off of her latest album, Cassadee did throw in a few old tracks that definitely pleased the audience members that have been following her career since the very beginning. Highly requested by a number of fans, “11” was added into the set, a personal song off of her 2013 album, Frame By Frame, that discusses the life events Cassadee has gone through including the separation of her parents. It was a vulnerable and stripped down moment in the set that showcased both Cassadee’s powerfully sharp voice and evolution as a songwriter over the years.
Fans were also treated to a number of surprise performances throughout the night. Midway through the set, Cassadee’s tour mates, Logan Brill and Twinnie, joined her onstage for a cover of Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now.” The cover had everyone in the building singing along while each songstress onstage brought their incredible vocals to the performance, showcasing the talent this next generation of female country singers is bringing to the genre.
Sam Palladio, Cassadee’s boyfriend and an English actor and musician, joined her onstage right before the encore to perform “Think of You,” a song that is originally a duet between Cassadee and country singer Chris Young. Both Sam and Cassadee’s vocals blend together so effortlessly, creating a seemingly flawless yet playful performance that was definitely a highlight for many.
With a 3-song encore, fans that have followed Cassadee since her days in Hey Monday lost complete control as she performed “Candles,” a stripped down and emotional track about the end of a relationship that was originally released on Hey Monday’s debut album, Hold On Tight, in 2008. It was a full circle moment in the night, showing where Cassadee began and where she is now all while pleasing fans who were unsure on if she would ever play any Hey Monday material.
Closing out the night with her debut single following her win on The Voice, “Wasting All These Tears,” it is more clear than ever the talent Cassadee brings to country music. With vocals unlike anything else in music right now and onstage charisma that can light up a room no matter where in the world she may be, she is a performer and musician worth paying attention to.
