Live Report: Freya Ridings at the Olympia Theatre

What a breathtaking opening to the show! 13 year old Allie Sherlock wooed the Olympia Theatre crowd with re-imagined covers alongside her own original ‘Cold Dreams’. It was so good that even the most experienced performers would find it a tough act to follow!

However, Freya Ridings did not disappoint. Taking centre stage behind her baby grand piano, the London-born singer played a short and wonderfully sweet set of soul-filled songs. Backed by her silhouetted band, the audience was transfixed throughout her performance. Every lyric was delivered with soul and emotion: it’s clear that writing her own songs and music since just 9 years of age has really paid off! Freya Ridings exudes star quality.

Having previously played Dublin’s famous Whelan's, the larger stage did not faze Freya. Her voice and piano filled the theatre: she seemed almost to hypnotise the audience, with songs such as ‘Ultraviolet’ and ‘Blackout’ sending shivers down our collective spines. Freya Ridings effectively created the illusion of an intimate performance in the larger venue. Dedicating ‘You Mean the World to Me’ to her mother, she explained that her parents are both Irish, further winning over the hearts of already adoring fans, as the connection hit home for many.

2018 was a real whirlwind of a year for Freya. Her single ‘Lost Without You’ rocketed to the top, going platinum after it was played on Love Island. Well,  after her Olympia show, there’s little doubt that this year will see her scale new heights. The talent, passion and emotion she put into her show leaves one filled with excitement about just how far she can go. Freya Ridings is going to be huge...