Griff is a Heartbeat for Fans at New York’s Terminal 5
New York’s Terminal 5 is always a buzzy venue. Three levels of balconies lend to a bubbling atmosphere, made even stronger by the building anticipation for British pop star Griff.
As her second New York City show — and her largest to date — the “Vertigo” tour definitely had excitement swirling. Fans of the rising singer-songwriter eagerly filled every floor of the venue, singing along to the pre-show playlist. The night’s theme was “spiral,” and fans were earnestly showing off their looks, like looping spiral earrings and handmade shirts.
Strong n’ Sweet
The excitement was understandable from the first haunting beat of the tour’s namesake, “Vertigo.” The instrumental thrummed like a heartbeat, but Griff’s onstage performance was the lifeline of the show. Bathed in a soft purple light and crowned by a spiral chandelier, Griff was a image of both strength and softness. She wore a flowing white chiffon dress accented with structural black shoulder and waist pads that resemble armor. Even her signature melancholy vocal tone doesn’t mask the disdain of lyrics like “You ran from love / that’s nothing new.”
The way she took fans through the set feels fluid, like a dance so well-rehearsed it’s second nature. Griff swept through guitar electric riffs in “Walk” to MIDI keys in “Shades of Yellow” to the practically acapella and mournful “Where Did You Go” without an element feeling out of place. The audience also was treated to the crooning “Pillow in My Arms,” with its honey-sweet sound and sorrowful lyrics of dancing with a pillow to replace a lost lover. “19th Hour,” in contrast, allowed Griff room to show off her soaring vocals with a more present anger, belting “When ‘I love you’ starts to lose its meaning / you only say it just to cover up the bleeding.”
Though not every song reflected lost loves, love and relationships were a present theme across the night, making the tour name all the more fitting. With songs that cover the dizzying highs, like the bright and poppy “Head on Fire,” to the bitter lows in “Black Hole,” and even the aftermath in “Miss Me Too.” the setlist certainly mimics vertigo. Yet the audience wasn’t left high and dry, as Griff’s constant warm presence was a grounding comfort all the way through.
A Rising Star
Exhibiting deft skill at weaving together both joy and sorrow, Griff also mastered capturing and delighting an audience. There was a certain gentleness to her approach that could be seen in the middle of her set. While many artists include “pop-out” stages — moments where they move to a smaller B-stage usually in the middle of the crowd — Griff skipped the stage all together. Parting the crowd like water, she slipped gracefully into the middle of the audience, standing eye-to-eye to treat fans to acoustic performances of songs like “So Fast” and“Everlasting.” The moment felt special, with a reverent hush falling over the crowd. It was a respectful space and stillness given to both song and artist alike. In an era of interaction-obsessive fans, an artist that can garner such esteem (even when shoulder-to-shoulder with the audience) is remarkable.
Remarkable as it may be, it was definitely earned. Griff has a unique sound that she’s able to translate across songs and instruments, making acoustic and synth alike feel related. At one point, she honored being in “the Big Apple,” with a cover of Charli XCX’s viral “Apple,” a cover that still feels true to her artistic identity without erasing Charli’s.
Everything about Griff, from her nightly show themes to her hand-sewn costumes to each note that is plucked, strummed, or tapped out on stage, is a carefully wrapped package of pure pop. While some may be tempted to use qualifiers like “alt” or “indie” in front of pop to describe Griff, her New York show proves that there’s no need: she’s a pop star in every sense of the word.
In a time that is far from lacking in pop singers, Griff is carving out her own unique, spiral shape in the industry. Her music is soft yet whirling, a warm embrace with a rush of emotion, like spinning with one’s arms outstretched yet knowing someone is there to catch them if they stumble.
While Griff had just come off a stint supporting Taylor Swift on her monumental “Eras Tour” and will be joining Sabrina Carpenter on select dates of the “Short n’ Sweet” tour, Griff’s own headlining shows prove that she will likely not be the supporting act for long. So if you were hoping to catch the next Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter before they blow-up: Griff is your chance.
Griff’s headline tour in support of her debut album “Vertigo” continues across the U.S. and Europe this fall. Griff will also be supporting Sabrina Carpenter on select October dates across the Midwest. For more updates, follow Griff on Instagram, YouTube, or Spotify.
Want more concert recaps? Check out our review of Sinéad Harnett’s tour stop in Philadelphia here!
