More about: Madison Beer

A legion of London fans turned out in full force, decked out in ribbon hair bows and tiny skirts, just like social media sensation Madison Beer has become known for sporting.  Teen girls had been waiting outside the capital’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire all day long just to capture more time with their idol, Madison. 

Playing the first of a two-night run in London, some of the young Madison fanatics had booked both nights and waited for her after the show to get the all-important tiktok or selfie for the ‘gram, with their fave. 

This pop princess however is more than a pretty face on your for you page. Packing a lyrical punch, her songs cover relationships, break ups, depression, life and beyond on her latest album, 'Life Support'. Wheeled onto stage in a neon cage by her two back up dancers as she opened with Baby, the crowd roars and screams like she's a rockstar.

Singing “I can turn you on, why your clothes still on” in her angelic voice, the contrast between her sickly sweet image and mature lyrics has everyone hooked. Powerful, watery vocals fill the venue as the crowd clamber to capture every second on their phones, to no doubt show off to friends and social media later. But that doesn't mean they're not engaged, with each dedicated fan singing along to her lyrics as they hung on her every word. 

Her second song, Good in Goodbye, introduces a different sound with a subtle RnB beat. Proving to be musically and lyrically mutifaceted, the girl wonder is showing the world the woman she is, weaving between sexy lyrics and somber ones, from the seductive to the serious.

Stay Numb and Carry On, became suddenly emotional as the chorus hit, a solid third song. The background graphics ebbed from nature scenes, to static on a television to videos of Madison at her desk or underwater. keeping the crowd entertained while she ran off for a quick change, its a full production set up. 

The stage was also dressed with a tree stump holding a swing for her to sing and swing on later. Despite some basic stage décor, the show was dramatic, as Madison’s impressive vocals kept everyone engaged throughout.

Emotional Bruises, a lesser-known album cut, was her fourth song, proving fan dedication as they counted the lyrics out on their raised hands: “Cause this is the fifth time I’ve taken you back, It’s the fourth time, that we’ve relapsed, It’s the third second chance that I’ve given you for the first time, Fifth time I've taken you back”

Heading into a climax, her biggest track Reckless commanded full attention from the venue. The 2021 single went viral online with fans all over the world singing along or sharing their covers on social media, and from the intense sound screaming her lyrics back at her, they're words that stick.

Yet breaking down barriers between the star and her fans, it was a special moment as she went beyond their screens. For Homesick, Madison got close to fans, reaching out to their hands, singing about her native New York as she embraced her supporters and seemed effortlessly at home here. Showing off her range and proving why comparisons to Ariana Grande are so regularly thrown about, the flow into Stained Glass had Madison hitting the highest notes with ease.

In keeping with her ‘channel surfing’ theme of the album, some lines from Madison's favourite TV show, Rick and Morty were played to the crowd, just before she performed Default. Ranging from silly to cinematic, Effortlessly bathed the crowd in dark, deep blue imager of the singer engulfed in water. Contrasting the sleek images with her own tiny frame on stage, Madison is a machine, full of vision and holding all the talent necessary to see it through.

For Selfish, Madison chose to sit on stage, making the song intimate and change the tone of the show dramatically. The song has echoes of Lana Del Rey but also Ariana-style runs, as her voice soared over dreamy guitar and her vulnerability is clear as she shares a special moment with the audience. Easily my favourite song of the show. 

Wrapping it all up, Everything Happens For A Reason closed out the show with a final reminder that Madison's vocals are undoubtedly heavenly. Layering clean vocals over glitching radio tuning sounds and vintage elements, the latest album is perfectly brough to life and for 2 more minutes, we're all in it. Honestly, I could stay here forever.

See photos from the night by Niamh Louise:

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More about: Madison Beer