Griff, a 23-year-old multifaceted rising star hailing from the UK, brought her unique blend of infectious energy, dynamic presence and powerful vocals to the intimate stage of Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) in New York City.
After the thrill of supporting Coldplay on a stadium tour last year and Dua Lipa in 2022, Griff decided to play several intimate venues to build out unreleased songs and perform some of her newer work from her EP “vert1go vol. 1,” a collection of “fragile” and “heartbroken” songs.
Walking out onto the LPR stage in a stylish red draped dress, platform shoes, and her signature long braid, the singer-songwriter kicked off the concert with an electrifying opener of her breakout hit “Black Hole.” She danced across the stage with boundless energy, reflecting the audience’s enthusiasm with complete joy on her face.
The 2021 BRITS Rising Star recipient brought her stadium energy to the small venue in the heart of Greenwich Village. It was evident that Griff was not just a singer but a profoundly talented performer, commanding attention with her magnetic presence and captivating stage presence.
Griff’s radiant charisma and genuine passion for her art created a sense of unity and connection that drew people from all over. Dedicated fans had traveled thousands of miles from Canada and D.C.— to name a few— to catch this one-night-only show in Manhattan. Griff would be showered with love and a plethora of gifts while on stage— from fan art, letters, friendship bracelets and Lunar New Year red envelopes.
The crowd was passionately shouting every lyric back to the stage, setting the tone for an unforgettable night of music. From the effervescent “Walk” to the lively “Heart on Fire,” the sense of exhilaration filled the venue.
As Griff treated the audience to a few of her earliest songs, it was impressive how her loyal fans resonated deeply with “Forgive Myself,” and “One Night.” The crowd danced joyfully along to “Shade of Yellow” and “Remembering My Dreams” from her debut mixtape, “One Foot In Front of The Other,” which launched her to pop stardom whilst stuck in her bedroom.
The artist effortlessly transitioned from upbeat anthems of the opening set to the heartfelt, emotional ballads of “vert1go vol. 1,” showcasing her versatility as an artist. What is described as a “roller-coaster of a record about feeling upside-down and the generational disorientation of your early twenties,” this new era of Griff’s music had New York mesmerized. During an interlude, she spray-painted the characteristic “vertigo” spiral against a white backdrop to symbolize her transition into the more mature, soulful songs of her current musical exploration.
As anticipation filled the air during the interlude, Griff took to the mic stand with nothing but her guitar and her hauntingly beautiful voice for an unreleased song called “So Fast.” Her voice created an intimate, tear-jerking experience during the song’s sense of longing and vulnerability about watching a loved one come and go. Like the heart-rending lyrics of “Good Stuff,” this song may be alluding to her experiences with her family fostering children, who would come and live with her family for years but always end up moving on.
Griff took an all-encompassing approach to the unique performance, from singing, production, fashion and storytelling— making it truly her own. As the melancholic piano opening of “Into The Walls” took center stage, Griff’s incredible range shone through with precision and delicacy, with depth and texture. Her sonic spellcraft and musical prowess were demonstrated live on a loop pedal and the well-rehearsed hand-pumps into the air with the pounding drum beat in “19th Hour.”
The atmosphere shifted as Griff performed a cathartic rendition of her next single “Miss Me Too,” which is set to release on February 28.
On Instagram, she shared that she wrote this about “losing important relationships in life, growing out of adolescence and desperately searching for a version of yourself that felt things and believed in the best in people.”
In what felt like a deeply personal moment during “Astronaut,” Griff laid her soul bare to the audience with sincerity. Accompanied only by the gentle strains of the piano, the poignant arrangement allowed her raw vocals and the emotional weight of the lyrics to reverberate with each chord.
As the night drew to a close with “Vertigo,” the audience erupted during its powerful, moving chorus. Griff’s voice soared with passion and conviction, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. The artist’s connection with her fans was palpable and evident in the thunderous applause that trembled the room.
Although the setlist was on the shorter side and left the audience cheering for an encore, Griff’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Griff clearly prioritized the connection with her community of listeners throughout the show, taking every opportunity to express her appreciation between songs. She even stayed in the venue to meet an eager line of fans waiting after the performance. Not many artists stay after a full night of belting vocals, dancing and unlocking a rollercoaster of emotions.
Griff’s stellar performance at LPR showcased her undeniable talent as a once-in-a-generation musician with real, raw talent and depth to watch closely in the industry today.
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