Fresh off the back of what may be the best EP and/or project of the year so far Better Off Without, the critically acclaimed, London based singer, Rachel Chinouriri made the cosy Leeds café and low-key music venue, Hyde Park Book Club, her home for the night. She without a doubt put on one of the best live shows I’ve been to this year. The ‘Book Club’ is a student favourite, surrounded by student houses, and always packed with the artsier crowd, so it’s easy to see why it’s became such a staple for upcoming local and national musicians, poets, and comedians.

In the small, packed crowd, we were right at the front, eagerly awaiting her entrance. When the band started playing, and the lighting got moodier, she came onto the stage radiating nothing but positivity, dressed in vibrant oranges and pinks, with the look of genuine excitement and joy at the turn out of ecstatic fans. Sounding just as flawless behind the microphone live as she does on record, nearly every song was a tearjerker. Lots of deeply personal tracks really resonated with me and seeing them live was at times hard to stomach, but also healing.

Her blend of indie and bedroom pop combined with her soulful, powerful voice made it an unmissable performance, she seemed like a superstar in the making, yet unfairly playing to just a handful of lucky people squeezed into the tiny room. I’m still ecstatic I was there to see it, as she delivered a flawless setlist of some of the best pop songs in recent years, like the beautifully crafted ‘If Only’. The track tackles what must be difficult subject matter for her to perform live with gloomy lyrics like ‘I never see the world in colour, I pray for things I can’t afford’, yet it feels bittersweet with her almost angelic fluttering backing vocals giving more life to the song.

‘So My Darling’ was even more poignant in a live setting, with its Billie Eilish-esque whispery vocals. It’s a track she wrote at just 17, before releasing it in 2018 under Parlophone records, receiving radio play, and lots of attention on TikTok. Since signing to Parlophone, she has released two mesmerising EPs, and we were treated to the best of both of them.

The highlights for me were from her newest EP, like the opening track, ‘All I Ever Asked’, a perfect pop song with an endlessly repeatable, upbeat instrumental yet passionate, open lyrics (also my personal song of the year so far). ‘Happy Ending’ was also a fantastic highlight. It’s easy to smile at the talent you’re witnessing, but just as easy to shed a tear at the honest themes of her music.

Her live band matched her unbelievable stage presence, and vocal ability. She danced around the stage confidently and engaged with the crowd who seemed to know every word, everyone showed up for Rachel and she somehow managed to exceed expectations.

She made sure to stay around after the show for fans to sign her book with personal messages, and she was more than happy to talk and take photos. She was so kind, and sympathetic for anyone sharing their personal stories with her. You can tell from the sombre lyrics in her newest EP that she has recently been through a lot herself, but she was overjoyed by the fans, hugging everyone and listening to anything they had to say. She even continued to reply to fans messages on Instagram throughout the night, and re-post highlights to her story, she really cared about her supporters, and it was very clear.

If you’re still unaware of Rachel Chinouriri, the 23-year-old talent has also just supported pop sensation Remi Wolf, and is just one year older than me yet somehow able to make me feel the same intense emotions as now veterans in their mid-30s like Frank Ocean, Sampha, and Blood Orange, just a few of my all-time favourites as I’ve grown into an adult. She deserves your attention, and all the accolades coming her way.

Listen to her music here.

Rachel Chinouriri: Live in Leeds