Opening Acts

The evening began with the enchanting performance by Alessi Rose. Her sweet, vibrant vocals conveyed her charm and charisma. Despite having her first headline show just a week prior, Rose showcased a promising future in the music industry.

To follow, a dynamic pop-rock electronica duo from Brighton called Arxx filled their set with queer-positive anthems and songs about heartbreak. Featuring Clara on drums and Hanni on vocals, they interspersed their time on stage with fun moments, like the crowd joyfully cheering “Ahoy!” with them. Arxx’s feel-good energy ensured that everyone, regardless of background or age, was up and moving.

Fletcher Takes the Stage

With the crowd already buzzing, Fletcher took the stage, opening with “Maybe I Am” from her latest album, In Search of the Antidote. Her first two songs were performed against a backdrop of a large LED screen, captivating the audience and getting even the most sedentary members up on their feet.

The cheerful atmosphere persisted throughout the night, with highlights including “Pretending” and a crowd favorite, “Ego Talking”. With a dramatic drop of her leather jacket, Fletcher hypnotized the Eventim Apollo as the entire venue shook and screamed in support of her bold expression of body confidence.

Captivating the Crowd

Fletcher held the audience in the palm of her hand throughout the evening. A memorable moment was the rock-infused ending of “Shh, Don’t Say It”, where her live band had the entire venue rocking out. Another standout moment was during “If I Hated You”, when Fletcher grabbed a video camera and projected fans, her musicians, and herself onto the LED screens, creating an intimate connection with the crowd.

A Nod to the LGBTQ+ Community

Her song “Girls Girls Girls” was a poignant nod to the LGBTQ+ community, with the entire audience singing along. Pink-tinted stage lights amplified the anthemic feel of the song, which cleverly incorporated samples from Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”.

Unforgettable Moments

As if Fletcher’s engagement with the audience wasn’t enough, she joined first-row fans in singing “Guess We Lied”, not only demonstrating her commitment to connect deeply with her fans but also solidifying the rocker she is at heart. Switching gears to a more calming atmosphere, the venue lit up with phone flashes during a wholesome acoustic version of “Joyride”, in which Fletcher performed with her musicians sitting above the LED screen.

The peaceful mood continued with “Crush” and “All Love” until the final chorus of the latter, where Fletcher’s rocker spirit emerged again, as she jumped around and playfully splashed water into the crowd.

Personal Touches

Before her final songs, Fletcher took a moment to read aloud posters from the crowd, adding a personal and humorous touch to the night. My personal favorite read “My name is Becky, please throw me around like your mic stand”.  A particularly touching moment was when she read a poster from a couple expecting a child, asking her to give their unborn child a middle name. Fletcher honored this request, coming down to touch the belly of the baby’s mother, she named the baby “London” in tribute to the show.

Closing the Show

The show cotinued with a song that made her name in the industry “Undrunk”. As the show neared its end, Fletcher took time to appreciate her fans, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing your own health and expressing gratitude for their patience during her struggles with Lyme Disease. Fletcher wrapped up the show with tracks from her newly released album– “Eras of Us”, “Antidote” and “Doing Better” as well as one of her biggest hits about her ex-girlfirend, “Becky’s So Hot”.

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, Fletcher deserves her rising climb in pop stardom. Before this show, I primarily knew Fletcher for her collaboration with Duncan Laurence on the Eurovision hit “Arcade”. However, this evening’s performance further cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with. Fletcher is by far a must-see pop performer to see live in 2024 and will undoubtedly be for years to come.