On the back of her recent double-success at the 2022 NME Awards, the youthful superstar Griff dazzles the spectators of Manchester.
A bursting O2 Ritz muffles with delight before the upcoming performances, beginning with a mighty deliverance from support act Lola Rose. A perfectly curated girl-power pre show setlist ignites the crowd, singing rippling through those present before Griff even takes to the stage, the audience soon bursting into a rendition of Taylor Swifts’ ‘All Too Well (10 minute Version,) an artist Griff mentions as one of her main inspirations.
A golden stage awaits a golden performance, with Griff opening the sold out show with “Heart Of Gold” taken from her debut album. Her flare and sprightly dancing reflects onto the crowd, with couples embracing and fans beaming with joy, particularly so on performances of “1,000,000 X Better” with help from the crowd chanting back the lyrics. A singular light shines on Griff, spotlighting her self proclaimed ‘Wedding Dress,’ as the dancing is replaced with merciful piano on her eerily delicate performances of “Earl Grey Tea” and “Good Stuff.” The night also saw the use of Griff’s older material, with songs such as “Forgive Myself” striking a particular chord with those witnessing the monumental sold out show, Griff soon mentioning the last time she performed in Manchester she played The Deaf Institute, highlighting the growth made in such a short amount of time. Performances like tonight however, are clear indicators of why Griff has grown so quickly as an artist, with the public (rightfully so) catching on to her craft. Griff’s eloquent stage presence and exuberant mannerisms dominate the performance, especially on tracks such as “One Foot In Front Of The Other,” but Griff’s flawless vocals still find a place. During her new single with Sigrid, “Head On Fire,” vocals roar through the crowd, and despite Sigrid’s absence, Griff more than makes up for the missing voice. As the evening draws to a close, there’s one powerhouse single left, the phenomenal “Black Hole,” that gained quite the traction on TikTok. Griff’s versatile singing abilities make the single even more electrifying live, and the elongation of the chorus with assistance from those present conclude a landmark evening.
At just 21, with multiple awards in her arms, and multiple sold out dates on tour, Griff is paving the way for a new generation of popstar powerhouses.
Author: Victoria Attridge Smith
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Tags: Griff / Manchester / o2 the ritz