The artist that event goers were likely just as excited to see at BST Hyde Park other than headliner Noah Kahan was Gracie Abrams. The amount of fans scattered around Hyde Park in Gracie Merchandise was a clear sign. Abrams popularity has been growing from strength to strength since the release of her second album The Secret of Us and her support shows on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Appearing on the Great Oak Stage right before Noah Kahan’s set, the crowd was packed with eager fans. Starting with The Risk, the loud chorus of fans was quite the sound. Turning around to see all the people at the front barrier of general admission was quite the picture.

Gracie couldn’t believe where she was and the amount of fans she had in the crowd. At times she addressed familiar faces and thanked everyone for being here, stating that she and her band took none of it for granted. Going acoustic for Blowing Smoke and 21 a big surprise came from bringing out the phenomenal Aaron Dessner from The National. Dessner of course, Co- produced and co-wrote with Gracie and is even more notable for his work with Taylor Swift. This was a big deal having him join her. Like many of us Swifties, we wanted him as a guest on our show at the eras tour. Dessner joined Gracie for a new and unreleased song called Crazy Girl that even in its debut, became a hit amongst fans. Dessner stayed on stage for I Love You, I’m Sorry and Where Do We Go Now?

Let It Happen was a highlight. Live, this song just breathed a new life, it had a new energy. The song being played in an outdoors setting in an early summer’s evening with a 65,000 strong crowd singalong was quite emotional.

Having never personally seen Gracie Abrams live before, she really blew me away. She commanded her stage with grace and poise and her sweet yet strong persona made her inspirational. A beautiful voice with a story-telling tone, Abrams talent is endless. She can play guitar, play piano and her songwriting skills are so impressive it’s understandable why the likes of Aaron Dessner and Taylor Swift are happy to work with her.

That’s So True was of course met with a deafening amount of screams and when the whole of Hyde Park sang a long, it felt amazing to all come together in that moment sharing the same passion. People from all walks of life, living and loving every minute. Gracie thanked the UK for making that song such an important one for us and we didn’t let her down by proving why.

Closing with Close to You, the energy was on another level and happiness spread through the air into every corner of hyde park. If you weren’t yet a fan of Abrams, you probably left thinking “she’s so cool”. Gracie Abrams is truly a headliner and if there was any artist to follow in Taylor Swift’s footsteps it might well be her. Gracie Abrams delivered a masterful set that was full of raw emotion, passion and joy, leaving the crowd on a high which will probably last for days.