Live Review: Girli - Scala, London 26/04/2023
GIRLI delivered an incredible performance at her final show of her UK and European tour last night at Scala in London.
As soon as I arrived in the queue I knew I was in the right place as everyone was covered in neon pink, PVC and off-the-wall, incredible hairstyles. I immediately made friends with Gemma and Bethany who had travelled collectively nearly four hours to get to Scala. They were discussing their favourite GIRLI songs and I understood how important the GIRLI community is, everyone accepting, friendly, supportive and great fun.
As I walked in the whole place was booming with excitement and joy, the venue was completely full by 7:30 pm and no music had even started.
T minus 90 minutes till GIRLI hits the stage.
The desperate hungry crowd were at the barrier waiting for the music to start, out comes Louis III feeding everyone with catchy hooks and body-shattering bass. Sampling 90’s dance anthems and leading the audience to sing along to his music, I found myself feeling incredibly comfortable and free to dance along to every beat. Louis III’s honesty and confidence radiated across the venue in this incredible community, my favourite song of his set being High Frequency, a summer house dance bop that makes me want to hit the beaches of Ibiza with everyone in the venue along for the ride.
Towards the end of his set covering Miley Cyrus’s Flowers into a mash-up of Cold Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa really was a highlight, everyone screaming the words like their lives depended on it. I can’t wait to go see another show with Louis III, with high energy, and great music and nothing will stop you from moving your feet.
30 minutes till GIRLI. I can feel the excitement in the room, an audience member behind me dressed up as GIRLI’s look from her Damsel in Distress EP, another chatting quickly about what song they're most excited for, it was captivating.
Suddenly the song these boots are made for walking plays out as the lights go low and GIRLI arrives with eyeliner done for the gods and a look on her face of happiness and composure.
She starts with Has Been, a song about ignoring people and being confident in who she is with her punchy catchy chorus shouting back at them, “Hey hey, I don’t really give a damn what they say ‘cause I know just who I am”. It’s high energy and the live drums and dancers hooked everyone from the first beat.
This song was followed by Hot Mess, the audience dancing and screaming every lyric right back, with everyone having the time of their lives, truly enjoying every moment. Phone torches in the air and GIRLI saying “All the bulls**t from the outside world, let's just shut that off for an hour”. Every song has an even bigger scream and applause from the audience, with bigger riffs and catchy relatable lyrics, she admits on stage that her music is “happy songs masked by my sadness”. This honesty is why everyone is here, why her music is so powerful and being able to dance and say how you really feel is necessary to survive.
This was followed by a passionate stage dive during Friday Night Big Screen, which sent her flying across the crowd and held her until the end of the chorus. One of my favourite moments was during her song Letter to My Ex, with the whole venue singing the chorus. “I hate how much I miss you!” The emotion from GIRLI and everyone in the venue erupted with familiarity and hope for our future lives.
Her final two songs, Why Am I like this and More than a Friend (which have over 45 million streams on Spotify) were the final crescendo of the show. Everyone was screaming, singing and dancing till the last note with the fans crying for more.
GIRLI’s raw, honest lyrics captivate a feeling that we can all relate to which is why her fans and community are ride or die for her. They can all feel it. Being whoever you want to be and celebrating that, before I knew it, I became part of the community. That’s the power of GIRLI.
Words by Hannah Kane
Photography by Justyna Serafin
