TOM GRENNAN PLAYS HIS BIGGEST UK SHOW TO DATE AT LONDON’S GUNNERSBURY PARK

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

TOM GRENNAN PERFORMING AT LONDON’S GUNNERSBURY PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

Tom Grennan’s live performance at Gunnersbury Park in London was nothing short of spectacular, marking the artist’s largest UK headline show to date. The event was a big open-air celebration of a star-studded bill, with Tom’s headline show an attraction for a crowd of all ages early on.

The line-up for the event was stellar, with special guests such as Liv Dawson, Mae Stephens, Caity Baser and Blossoms bringing unique sounds to the festival. The first act, Liv Dawson came on stage around 3pm. Liv is a British rising pop artist known for her aethereal voice and emotionally resonant sounds, exploring vulnerability and her own personal experiences, all against the theme of pop melodies. Liv came on stage with a lot of energy, creating an intimate atmosphere with the audience. She performed songs from her recently released new EP, which speak about heartbreak and empowerment, and her live vocals captured perfectly the intricate themes woven in her music. Her set was very pleasant to watch and made her stand out for the crowd engagement she got from a festival, reminiscent of what you would get in a more intimate set-up.

Second on the bill was Mae Stephens, an emerging pop sensation who has rapidly gained a lot of attention (mainly through social media), due to her unique blend of catchy hooks and relatable lyrics. Bursting into the scene with her viral hit “ADHD”, and with her signature colourful eyebrows and makeup, as well as glitter on her hair, her infectious energy and engaging presence were remarkable. Mae has amassed millions of streams and an immense following on social media, which was evident in the crowd’s response. I was impressed by the lyrical themes of her songs, exploring empowerment, love, heartbreak, as well as mental health. Mae was also very engaging and vulnerable with the audience, sharing heartfelt personal stories about how the songs were written and the themes they addressed, such as ‘Make me your Mrs’, ‘Small Town Syndrome’ and ‘Stranger’. With an emotional gratitude speech towards her family, a fun story about The Chainsmokers and her vocal talent and stage charisma, Mae’s performance really stood out to me and solidified her growing status as a dynamic performer.

The emotional performances were soon replaced by the vibrant and energetic showcase of Caity Baser, who came on stage with peak ‘popstar’ energy. Caity is known for her unapologetic personality and catchy, relatable songs, bringing high-octane energy to Gunnersbury as the sun settled in the middle of the sky. Opening her set with the quote ‘I am Caity Baser and I am a problem’ (relatable), she jumped on stage to completely transform the energy of the crowd. Having recently toured the UK, Caity was no stranger to performing in front of large crowds, keeping everyone fully engaged, signing along to every word, especially to the hits that have now reached UK Top 10s and become anthems. Keeping in theme with ‘brat summer’, Caity’s outfit was a statement to her performance too. She was commanding and effortlessly connecting with her audience, showcasing her vocal ability and her raw honesty that characterises her music. Caity is truly a popstar-in-the-making, she is very fun to watch on stage and an act to follow in the coming months.

My favourite performance of the night was however that of the Blossoms, a UK premier indie-pop band that brought amazing 70s energy to the park. The band took the stage with insane confidence, as the crowd was now much bigger. Their set was very curated, containing old favourites and newer material, showcasing their musical talent and versatility as artists. The band’s tightness and engagement on stage was also apparent; Tom Ogden’s (frontman) stage presence and smooth vocals were definitely a highlight. The crowd around me seemed to thoroughly enjoy the set, singing along and dancing to the tunes, especially in songs such as ‘Charlemagne’ and ‘Your Girlfriend’. I found myself listening to their songs again on my way home, and I hope that I can catch them performing again soon.

Last but not least, the man of the moment, Tom Grennan ran on stage wearing a boxer’s robe over a sparkly suit that truly made him stand out from the crowd. Tom has been releasing music for a while, but 2023 and 2024 have definitely brought new hights to his career, evident in the size of the crowd as the sun was setting. Against bright lights, Tom is a true rockstar on stage, jumping and singing, without missing a single note. The set was opened by a powerful rendition of his hits, immediately having the audience sing along and dance. His strong and soulful vocals resonated through the park, backed by a tight band and very intricate female ad-libs that complemented his voice perfectly. The setlist was a perfect balance of old and new hits, mostly from his latest album, as well as teasers of songs that have not been released yet. The standout moments of the night included performances of ‘Little Bit of Love’ and ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’’, tracks that are very loved by fans – old and new. His energy was contagious in the crowd, having people sing their hearts out all the way to the back.

Another highlight of his performance was his interactions with the audience, especially at a moment that he had to fill extra time. He took time to thank his fans, make banter, talk about his ‘funny trousers’, and explain his disbelief about the scale of the event, naming it his ‘favourite performance’. He scared some personal anecdotes and encouraged the crowd to enjoy every moment. The production of the show was also impressive, with lights and pyro in full swing, ending the set with a display of fireworks. My personal favourite moment was the song ‘Here for you’, where the audience lit up their phones, while he also attempted to sing a few songs acapella – once again charming his fans with his vocal prowess and charisma. His new songs also seem to showcase his musical versatility, with more rocky and jazzy swings as well as a sax (we do love a sax), creating a party energy in the park, having people bounce along to every beat.

Tom Grennan’s performance at Gunnersbury Park was a celebration of his rise in music and his status as a well-loved singer in the British crowd. We are eager to hear his new music and what he will do next.