Rina Sawayama’s rescheduled tour is finally back in full swing after being cancelled last year. The show tonight in Birmingham was highly anticipated as there were fans who had queued for over 5 hours hoping to get front row in order to see the star in all her glory.
Support acts AMA and Hana opened up the show setting the scene and getting the crowd pumped for the pop icon they all were anticipating. The atmosphere is something that was certainly missed during these unprecedented times and certainly something that was going to stay throughout the night ahead. AMA with her sultry voice and Hana hitting all the high notes we could only dream of, both were a breath of fresh air and exactly what you want to see after 18 months of being in a terrible situation.
Being able to perform her debut album ‘Sawayama’ for the first time, the crowd chanted ‘Rina Rina Rina’ and screamed as soon as they heard the first note from ‘Dynasty’ turning the venue into a rave partying the night away. Talking to the crowd about they were all ‘slaying’ tonight and that they were the loudest crowd of the tour thus far, Sawayama bursts into an energetic frenzy for ‘Commes Des Garçons’ after taking a moment from lying on the stage after her heavy performance for ‘STFU’.
Announcing that “Something very LGBT is about to happen” and going on to say that she feels loved and is so proud to be on stage with everyone in the room, felt heart warming and touching. The feeling of being loved and accepted was a continued theme throughout the night as you could feel it in the air while an acoustic rendition of ‘Chosen Family’ was performed. With everyone swaying their flashlights along to the beat you could see there was a sense of unity and belonging which was so uplifting to see. It felt like you were in a safe space with Sawayama going on to say that during the past year or so there were those who were not in a safe place or situation to be in and were not with their chosen people, which was changing tonight.
Ending the show with a cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Free Woman’ and dedicating it to Britney Spears about her finally being free. The cover is upbeat, fast, fun and everything you would want in an ending performance. It was sweet and joyful and everything that you’d want to hear when thinking of freedom and being in control of your life again.
Rina Sawayama is the future of pop and is an icon awaiting to burst into flames and take over the world by storm. This show proved that no matter what happens, Sawayama will take over and take control, something which we need right now and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
