A strikingly down-to-earth talent famed for her soaring melodies and beautifully bittersweet lyrics, the BRITs Rising Star winner’s default position in this breakout year has been to focus firmly on the art rather than the media circus surrounding her. On the closing night of her first ever UK tour, at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, she continued to do just that, even bookending the performance with pre-recorded audio of her discussing her songs in detail. Subtle it wasn’t, but nor did it feel painfully worthy, which it so easily might have were Griff a less likeable presence.
On the contrary, the Taylor Swift-approved 20-year-old proved an impressively convivial host, interspersing her slick, 60-minute set with playful audience interactions, be that taking selfies with super fans in the front row or sampling the crowd during Sound of Your Voice. Watching her record and loop vocal harmonies in real-time during the latter brought to mind the work of Ed Sheeran, an artist with whom she also shares a similarly fuss-free approach to stagecraft.
Switching fluidly between guitar and keys - with assistance from just a percussionist and synth-player - Griff’s masterly musicianship was further underscored by the seemingly effortless manner in which she belted out emotive phrases or dispatched tricky vocal runs. Her soulful delivery on Good Stuff was especially powerful, prompting a display of twinkling smartphone lights fit for an arena.
The clearest sign that Griff might share these stadium-sized aspirations came during an elaborate staging of Heart of Gold, from June’s mixtape One Foot in Front of the Other. Initially appearing silhouetted behind a patchwork curtain that she later admitted to having personally hand-stitched, Griff was eventually revealed inside a hollowed-out heart structure made of wood. The musical arrangement was just as complex, finding her interpolating extracts from Lorde’s hit Royals. But ambitious as the moment undoubtedly was, it ultimately felt muddled and convoluted, especially when compared to the refreshing simplicity of the rest of the set.
Concluding with her biggest hit Black Hole - the first verse performed solo on guitar before the rest of the band joined in - Griff left us with a stark reminder of what she does best. Namely penning colossal pop choruses and intensely relatable lyrics that make audiences everywhere feel seen.
