Grace VanderWaal’s ‘CHILDSTAR’ Tour and the Art of Intimate Pop Concerts
Grace VanderWaal is notable for many things–including her most recent studio record CHILDSTAR, an album that pushes boundaries in a way other pop records don’t. One of the reasons fans know VanderWaal: She won America’s Got Talent at age 12. Now a grown woman, the 21-year-old artist is using her musical style to reclaim her own narrative. CHILDSTAR has straightforward lyrics about VanderWaal’s younger years in the spotlight. She talks about wanting love and success, the awfulness of being sexualized, that people shared her music so rapidly when she was younger and she had no control over how her work was distributed. But with the release of CHILDSTAR–she’s back in charge.
This week, for the first time in almost two years, VanderWaal is back to routinely performing live. She just began touring CHILDSTAR and will continue to do so throughout May. So far she’s played shows in Chicago and Toronto, with dates in Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco still scheduled. Keep reading for a full list of upcoming tour dates. Tickets for this limited run of shows are available here.
VanderWaal began this tour at Chicago’s historic Lincoln Hall. Her first track back was “Proud,” which is also the first song on CHILDSTAR. The crowd was stoked to hear VanderWaal, who carries this particular tune with a strong vocal performance. She stretches out words with power in her voice. She sings, “Designed and made // Does it impress, how well I play? // Did I make you proud? Did I take your breath away?” Immediately, CHILDSTAR’s theme is setting the tone for these live shows.
But remember–VanderWaal already has an established career. Not long into her set, she gives fans a taste of her other popular work. She performed “The City” from her 2021 EP LETTERS: VOLUME 1. She continues to showcase her striking solo vocals by playing CHILDSTAR’s standout track “What’s Left Of Me.” While VanderWaal sings, the crowd stands astonished.
Another captivating part of VanderWaal’s performances is the use of choreography and an accompanying dance crew. Several dancers surround VanderWaal on stage for the majority of her show, creating an astounding performance that is rare for shows in venues as intimate as these. This is ultimately a pop show, though, so there’s unlimited fun and creative spells to be had. VanderWaal treated her crowd to “Poser,” a beat-filled track that encourages crowds to sway in place. She also played “Babydoll,” another hit from CHILDSTAR with plenty of danceability.
For VanderWaal’s fans, this limited run of shows is a great chance to check out her work live. Expect to feel many emotions, though. Her performance is whatever she decides it to be. Since this is one of her first times having full creative control, she’s decided to produce a show that unites raw emotion with fun: most of all, it’s memorable.
Grace VanderWaal Tour Dates:
05/09 Washington, D.C. – Atlantis
05/10 New York, NY – Racket
05/18 Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
05/21 San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar
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