Fast rising American indie pop singer-songwriter Bella Kay brought her infectious energy to The Academy Dublin on May 10th, delivering a confident and charismatic performance that proved exactly why her profile continues to grow at such a rapid pace. Originally planned for a smaller room, the show was upgraded to the venue’s main room after tickets sold out quickly and by the time the lights dimmed, every corner of the packed venue was buzzing with anticipation.
Opening the night was Leonie Biney, whose eight song set immediately connected with the audience. Tracks including “I’m Making You Coffee,” “I’ll Be Fine,” and “Beach Song” created warm singalong moments that helped set the tone for the evening. Biney’s easy stage presence and relatable lyricism won over the sold out crowd, while set closer “Groupie” provided a strong and energetic finish that earned one of the loudest cheers of the support slot.
When Bella Kay finally took the stage, the setup was surprisingly minimal. A large backdrop made from hanging CDs shimmered behind throughout the night, but with the pace of Bella Kay’s rise, elaborate staging almost felt unnecessary. Her personality and songs carried the performance effortlessly.
The crowd were treated to a 12 song set packed with fan favourites and unexpected covers. Her renditions of Rihanna and Mikky Ekko’s “Stay” and Drake’s “Hotline Bling” added a fresh indie-pop twist and were met with huge reactions from the audience. Originals such as “ur new girlfriend” and “God Knows” showcased both her emotional songwriting and confident delivery.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came after “Stop,” when Bella led the entire crowd in singing Happy Birthday to audience members. The show closed with “iloveitiloveitiloveit,” sending the crowd home on a high after a night that felt like another major step forward for one of indie pop’s brightest emerging stars.
Leonie Biney photos & set-list:
Set-list:
I’m Making You Coffee
Learning Curve
Love You So
I’ll Be Fine
Beach Song
Comedown
Think Twice
Groupie
Bella Kay photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Ur New Girlfriend
Lonely
Steady
Georgia
Stay (Rihanna & Mikky Ekko cover)
Hotline Bling (Drake cover)
Stop
Happy Birthday (Sang to memebers of the crowd)
God Knows
The Sick
Promise?
Wonder Wander
iloveitiloveitiloveit
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic