Amaarae's ascent to becoming one of the standout artists of 2023 kind of took many by surprise. Initially making waves with her eclectic blend of pop, afrobeats, R&B and signature dreamy falsetto showcased in her debut album THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW, her captivating track 'Sad Girls Luv Money' spearheaded her the recognition she deserved and landed her with a game-changing remix featuring Kali Uchis. Following her breakthrough, she then seemed to retreat into the shadows before ascending into her new form, quietly working but releasing remixes of SGLM and small features with other African artists like Boj and Kelechief, or making appearances on platforms like COLORS and contributing to Marvel's Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
However, the release of Fountain Baby heralded a new era and demanded attention. Amaarae's resurgence was palpable during her electrifying performances at her two sold-out shows in London's HERE at Outernet venue. Despite the venue's 2000-person capacity and mezzanine, it almost felt insufficient to contain the size of her talent at a smaller venue like this, given the success of her latest album. Whether it was a strategic move to gauge how she would sell or to elevate HERE at Outernet as a newer live music destination, the visuals accompanying her performance did help as being a worthwhile complement. As she strutted onto the stage amongst her screaming and devoted fans, the visuals captivated an array of imagery from angel wings to winding roads and fiery orbs and served as a backdrop to her dynamic tracks like 'Angels In Tibet' and 'Co-Star,' prompting the crowd to sing along with passion.
The energy reached a peak during 'Princess Going Digital' as Amaarae engaged in choreography, drawing fans in with her magical presence. The audience was not just there to witness a performance; they were eager to immerse themselves in the live experience and revel in the enchantment of Amaarae's music as she kneeled in towards them they could bask in her aura for a second, singing directly to those at the front. Transitioning seamlessly between high-energy numbers and intimate, slower moments, she captivated the crowd with a stripped-back rendition of 'LEAVE ME ALONE,' accompanied only by her guitarist under a single spotlight.
Alongside her versatility and stage presence, Amaarae oozed genuine joy throughout the performance, even returning for an encore of 'Sad Girls Luv Money' two times to the delight of her fans, who danced the night away. Leaving the venue, there was a warming sense of positivity and anticipation as we just witnessed the early stages of a diamond's creation.
4/5
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