The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMusicLive music

Halsey at Hammersmith Apollo

Halsey at Hammersmith Apollo | Live review
24 September 2018
Selina Begum
Avatar
Selina Begum
24 September 2018

Music review

Selina Begum

Halsey at Eventim Apollo

★★★★★

Highlights

Don't Play, The Chainsmoker's Closer

Links

Twitter Facebook Instagram Soundcloud Website

Halsey needs no introduction: she is one of the biggest American popstars on the scene today. Playing the first of two sold-out Hopeless Fountain Kingdom shows at Hammersmith Apollo, the Grammy Award-nominated singer is back after two years with an explosive show that’s worth the wait. 

Appearing behind a softly billowing sheet following the original verse from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the artist starts dancing, dry ice capturing her swagger. Eyes Closed (Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, 2018) sees smoky effects flowing over stage steps, while Gasoline (Badlands, 2015) is punchy, bursts of fire exploding as Halsey powerfully kicks the air. For Castle, the New Jersey performer is joined by her tour dancer, Teetee, who puts just as much energy and wow-factor into the set, the stage a fiery expanse of red and orange, while bonus track Heaven in Hiding is another hit with the audience, as the vocalist sings “I can put on a show.” She sure can. 

An advocate for social and gender rights, the artist’s use of visuals perfectly complements her reputation, with straight and same-sex couples kissing on screen, the words “send love” displayed during Strangers. The singer’s versatility is evident and she is a natural on stage; though she delves into long sentimental speeches at times, showing her honest and awkward side and even going as far as to make fun of her obnoxious stage voice, she creates very strong pop tunes and performs them with ease.

Hurricane is transformed by the incredible stage design, neon lightning striking through the stage steps, the vocalist exclaiming, “London, this is a reminder you don’t belong to anyone but yourself” as she disappears for a costume change. 

Highlight Don’t Play is as edgy as most of Halsey’s material, glitch synthesisers and vocals reminiscent of 90s bands such as TLC and Destiny’s Child, while the tabla sounds of 100 Letters fit perfectly with the venue’s acoustics. As a fusion of voices intermingle, climaxing into white noise, the singer appears again with Teetee, both dancing in a pool of water and performing Colours Part II with glittered facemasks, while Colours is accompanied by visuals of people using recreational drugs, perhaps not the best example for her young audience.

The performer tends to humblebrag a little, showing her age, but the adoring fans are only too pleased to listen. The song that really shot the artist to fame, The Chainsmokers’ Closer – on which she featured – is a stripped-back version,  a romantic rendition of a fan favourite. Showing gratitude to her drummer and synth player, the vocalist performs new single Alone and latest track Eastside. She welcomes ardent fans on stage during the encore to sing Is There Somewhere (Room 93, 2014), a kind gesture and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the admirers. Halsey finishes off with Bad At Love, confetti bursting everywhere, a perfect end to a show-stopping performance.

★★★★★

Selina Begum
Photos: Donslens

For further information and future events visit Halsey’s website here.

Watch the video for Eastside here:

Related Itemsfeaturedlive musicreview

More in Live music

The Amazons launch How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? at Live Nation

Bev Lung
Read More

Warpaint at the Roundhouse

★★★★★
Jasper Watkins
Read More

Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club

★★★★★
Jonathan Marshall
Read More

Viagra Boys at the Forum

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More

Tool at the O2 Arena

★★★★★
Peter Chow
Read More

Twin Atlantic at the Roundhouse

★★★★★
Mark Worgan
Read More

Metronomy at Alexandra Palace

★★★★★
Diletta Lobuono
Read More

Larkin Poe at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

★★★★★
Bev Lung
Read More

Tom Meighan at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in pictures

The editorial unit
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Music review

Selina Begum

Halsey at Eventim Apollo

★★★★★

Highlights

Don't Play, The Chainsmoker's Closer

Links

Twitter Facebook Instagram Soundcloud Website

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Albert Adrià reopens Enigma on 7 June as a “fun-dining” restaurant and cocktail bar
    Food & Drinks
  • The Road Dance
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Crimes of the Future: Three new clips from David Cronenberg’s dystopian body horror film
    Cannes
  • The Innocents
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Enys Men
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Stranger
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic at the British Museum
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Eo (Hi-Han)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Alan Fielden with JAMS: Marathon at the Barbican | Theatre review
The Joy of Sake: The Barbican to host a mouthwatering celebration of Japan’s national beverage