Live Review: Maisie Peters - O2 Apollo, Manchester 21/10/2023
Maisie Peters lit up Manchester’s O2 Apollo with a spellbinding performance, securing her return to the city as one to remember.
With a catalogue of appearances spanning from opening for Ed Sheeran to her very own set at Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage, the name Maisie Peters needs little introduction. Since her 2019 debut, the 23-year-old’s candid songwriting has quickly gained her a cult following, alongside widespread critical acclaim. Now equipped with anthemic tracks from her sophomore album, ‘The Good Witch’, she has just started the UK run of ‘The Road To Wembley Tour’. We caught Maisie in action on the fourth night.
Kicking off the show was Australian singer-songwriter Gretta Ray. As a long-time friend and collaborator of Maisie’s, her status as an opener seemed fitting. Performing tracks from her 2023 album ‘Positive Spin’, in addition to older hits, the rising star made the most of her 30 minutes in the spotlight. From upbeat pop numbers to stripped acoustic moments, her versatile vocals and charismatic stage presence had won over the crowd by the end of her set.
As 9pm approached, the atmosphere became electric. Pre-show music started to fade, and the introduction to ‘The Good Witch’ began to blast through the speakers. Signalled by the climactic crashing of drums, Maisie’s figure emerged, while the backing track continues ‘You wanna hear about it, oh, where do I start?’. Following a euphoric cheer from the crowd, there was a moment of quiet before she replied, “I guess when it kicks in”. Erupting uncontained excitement, it was clear that the main pop girl herself had arrived.
The 80-minute set immediately got off to a strong start. Transitioning from the title track straight into synth laden ‘Coming Of Age’, Maisie maintained the sense of anticipation as she danced around the stage. ‘Body Better’, another song taken from the recent album, saw the multi-instrumentalist bring out her first of many guitars. Pairing unfiltered lyricism detailing personal insecurity with a catchy pop melody, it provided a cathartic healing experience for all involved.
After taking a moment to introduce herself, Maisie reflected on the last time she played in Manchester. It was four years ago, at the 260 capacity Deaf Institute – a far cry from tonight’s sold-out (3,500 cap) show. The Suffolk-born songstress went on to explained that alongside celebrating her new album, she wanted to include the songs that got her there too. ‘Love Him I Don’t’ brought light to an endearingly vulnerable side to Maisie’s artistry, before jumping into the song that started it all: ‘John Hughes Movie’. Acting as a reminder of just how far the pop powerhouse has come, there was a tangible sense of nostalgia that pervaded the room.
A stunning acoustic medley saw Maisie combine old and new work. With her guitar in hand, ethereal vocals initiated with ‘2 Weeks Ago’, followed by a snippet of 2018 heartbreaker ‘Worst Of You’, before One Direction’s ‘Night Changes’, and finally ending with debut title track ‘You Signed Up For This’.
Quickly switching up the tone, fans got a taste of what to expect from ‘The Good Witch’ deluxe album with the live premiere of ‘Holy Revival’. Infused with rocky guitar lines and witty lyrics, it showcases Maisie in her best form. Building momentum for the forthcoming body of work, it was met with a glowing reception from the ecstatic crowd.
The latter part of the set picked up the pace. Prefaced by a story about men being walking red flags, ‘Run’ was an undeniable standout. With a killer chorus and driving basslines, the track was always guaranteed to make everyone get up and dance – and it certainly lived up to this expectation. Former hits equally pleased the crowd, with tongue-in-cheek ‘Not Another Rockstar’ and rage-filled ‘Blonde’ proving how timeless Maisie’s songs can be.
As the show neared its end, TikTok hit ‘BSC’ saw Maisie give yet another energetic performance, before ‘There It Goes’ offered a moment of calm to reflect on what we had all just witnessed. Fan favourite ‘Cate’s Brother’ was another highlight. Soaring riffs and defiantly bold vocals made for a high-powered delivery, followed by the pop sensation leaving the stage.
After several increasingly loud chants from the insistent crowd, Maisie returned once again, alongside Gretta Ray, for a heartfelt rendition of ‘History Of Man’. As the album’s closer, it felt perfectly placed. Providing a last dose of sentimentality to neatly tie up the show, it left everyone in a state of awe. This didn’t last long though, with the beginning of self-assured anthem ‘Lost The Breakup’ ensuing shortly after. With fans screaming every lyric at the top of their lungs, it was a dazzling finale to end the show.
And with that, it’s safe to say that Manchester hopes Maisie won’t take as long to come back this time.
Words by Emily Savage
Photography by Izzy Clayton
