"After seeing Abrams perform live, there's no denying why she is becoming one of the leading performers in this new generation of female pop acts."
-
Must See
Gracie Abrams
Neumos // Seattle, Washington // March 13, 2022
Review by Rachael Dowd
On March 13, Gracie Abrams brought her This Is What It Feels Like headlining North American tour to a close in rainy Seattle. As soon as fans walked into the cramped Neumos on Sunday night, a sense of familiarity and safety overcame them.
Part of the reason why Abrams has catapulted into popularity over the past year is due to the personal relationships fans make with her music. The emotional connection she forges with listeners through her bubbly yet genuine personality makes many feel like they are interacting with an old friend.
These factors make for the perfect pop star, which explains why Abrams has over 4 million monthly Spotify listeners and an opening spot on Olivia Rodrigo’s highly-anticipated Sour tour this spring.
However, as the stage lights dimmed inside Neumos, all eyes were on Abrams. She opened up the night with “Feels Like,” her airy vocals ringing through the speakers as passionate fans sang along to the chorus as if their lives depended on it. This was a common sight throughout the night, Abrams’ show being as much hers as it was the fans’.
During the 17-song set, Abrams truly showed her versatility as a songwriter, performer, and musician. During songs like “Brush Fire,” “Friend,” and “21,” Abrams danced around the stage instrument-free, using her charismatic aura to interact with fans in the front row – holding hands, taking photos on cellphones, and enjoying the moment just as much as they were. During these instances, Abrams’ distinct vocals rang throughout the venue, highlighting her range and sheer talent as a singer.
However, during performances like “minor,” “Painkillers,” and “Mess It Up,” Abrams changed the overall tone of the show and sat vulnerably behind a piano. These performances encapsulated two things – Abrams’ incredible songwriting and the unbreakable bond with her fans.
The stripped-down, personal nature of these performances made it feel like we were watching a teenager read lines from her diary about relationships that have long since passed. However, the mighty voices of those in the crowd that night overpowered Abrams’ at some points, showcasing just how much her music resonates with fans.
Abrams brought her set to a close with two encores – “Unlearn” and “For Real This Time.” The former happens to be my personal favorite song by Abrams and highlights how, at just 22 years old, Abrams is capable of crafting the quintessential love song that describes all of the things we never know how to express to the people we love. And, by the Seattle fans’ reactions that night, they feel the same. During “Unlearn,” the crowd sang louder than ever, acting as Abrams’ personal choir while she sang the incredibly raw lyrics.
After seeing Abrams perform live, there’s no denying why she is becoming one of the leading performers in this new generation of female pop acts. Not only does she create music that is relatable to all who listen, but her sheer musicianship and ability to captivate any crowd she is in front of is commendable and is something all performers strive for, but many rarely achieve.
Although the This Is What It Feels Like tour is over, you can catch Gracie Abrams this spring opening for Olivia Rodrigo on select dates of the Sour tour.
