PinkPantheress may not strike you as the theatrical type, but her headline show at Ally Pally tonight is a captivating display of dazzling stage lights, dramatic voice-overs, striking visuals, and glamorous backup dancers.
Despite it being her first time performing here – and her largest show thus far – there are little signs of nervousness, only an abundance of flair and charm showcased across 23 songs. As she addresses the crowd, she mentions, “I’ve only ever been here for ice skating.” Tonight is indeed a momentous occasion.
“London, we’re all here tonight,” a foreboding voice declares. The stage is bathed in dark pink lights, and a drum solo in the style of DnB fills the air. PinkPantheress elegantly strides onto the stage to a sea of mobile phones. Dressed in a stunning leopard print outfit with her signature purse slung over her arm, she launches straight into her original hit ‘Break it Off’.
Moving gracefully around the stage, she transitions into ‘I Must Apologise’ (echoed back to her, line by line, by the audience). “Oh dear, I just showed this whole crowd,” she chuckles into her microphone while adjusting her dress. “This is the largest show I’ve ever done,” she nervously announces, met with resounding cheers of support from her fans.
“What time is it?” she queries into her mic, leading into her track ‘Pain’. The crowd responds enthusiastically, belting out, “It’s 8 o’ clock in the morning”, and all the accompanying ad libs. Throughout the performance, PinkPantheress treats the audience to a mix of her well-known hits while introducing new collaborative singles and tracks from her debut album ‘Heaven’. Showgirl dancers in white feathered headdresses gradually make their appearance on stage during ‘Where Are You Now’. The show’s production value and conceptualization truly exceed expectations. The pressure for a show of this caliber is undoubtedly high, but PinkPantheress goes the extra mile to make it a night to remember.
Throughout her journey, PinkPantheress has been candid about her battle with stage anxiety. It’s a common struggle for artists who rise to fame online and are suddenly thrust into the spotlight, expected to transform into accomplished performers after primarily creating music solo, in their bedrooms. However, this Friday night underscores how far PinkPantheress has come and the hard work she has put in. The special nature of this moment is palpable, as she earnestly connects with the audience: jumping into their authentic moments, grooving across the stage, and maintaining a lively banter throughout the entire set.
As the dancers exit, PinkPantheress follows suit. The dramatic voice returns, speaking in enigmas. Returning to the stage, perched on a luxurious purple chaise longue, PinkPantheress delves into her emotionally charged song, ‘Capable of Love’. The setup and atmosphere are utterly enthralling. “This part always gets me emotional,” she shares with the audience while delivering breathtakingly angelic vocals.
Bringing back more dancers for her playful hit, ‘The Aisle’, PinkPantheress jokes into her mic before exclaiming, “They nailed it,” in reference to their routine. Later in the evening, the audience is treated to a surprise appearance by Shygirl, who performs her iconic single ‘Coochie (a bedtime story)’ from her debut album ‘Nymph’. “Who’s ready for coochie tonight?” she quips, before being joined by PinkPantheress on stage for the live debut of their collaborative single ‘bbycakes’.
Infusing R&B, garage, and electronic elements into her performance, PinkPantheress injects a myriad of flavor and personality into her show. From the theatrical voice-overs to the salsa dancers, the revival of her classic tunes, and her steady stream of witty remarks, it’s evident she’s gone all out to make her first 10,000-strong show an unforgettable experience and to demonstrate that she has the chops to dominate the grandest stages globally.
PinkPantheress setlist:
- ‘Break It Off’
- ‘I Must Apologise’
- ‘Mosquito’
- ‘Pain’
- ‘Passion’
- ‘Just For Me’
- ‘Where You Are’
- ‘Capable Of Love’
- ‘The Aisle’
- ‘Take Me Home’
- ‘Attracted To You’
- ‘Feel Complete’
- ‘Coochie (A Bedtime Story)’ with Shygirl
- ‘bbycakes’ with Shygirl
- ‘Bury Me’
- ‘Another Life’
- ‘True Romance’
- ‘Reason’
- ‘Blue’
- ‘Picture In My Mind’
- ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt.2’
Image Source: PinkPantheress @ Instagram
