As openings to pop gigs go, Camila Cabello certainly pulled out all the stops for her first ever headline show in London. Theatrical visuals, an energetic dance troupe and the slickest of bands ensured the opening of Cabello’s Brixton Academy set thrilled.
It was a decidedly gothic affair too as blood-red visuals, lightning effects and eerie smoke filled the stage before Cabello appeared in all-black for a dramatic rendition of Never Be The Same, hitting all its piercing notes perfectly.
These gothic undertones fascinated, especially against the lightness of Cabello’s most infectious pop songs. It wasn’t until mid-set this juxtaposition made more sense as she described choosing between love and fear in her personal life on Something’s Gotta Give. It felt, at least in part, a reference to her acrimonious split from Fifth Harmony, the girl band Cabello joined aged 15 after appearing on the US X Factor.
Yet it was ultimately positivity and light that prevailed for Cabello. Her cover of Can’t Help Falling In Love managed to be both affecting and uplifting, as did her balladry and musicianship on Consequences. A cover of Major Lazer’s Know No Better and a duet with surprise guest Anne-Marie brought moments of pure-pop joy. “It’s not every day you get to play a sold-out show in London,” Cabello beamed.
There were some missteps. The hurried inclusion of a visual political collage mid-set felt forced, ultimately detracting from any meaningful message; frequent fan plaudits also grated. Yet after Rockabye, Cabello played the haunting Crown in the most visually arresting performance of the evening, closely followed by Into It which sampled Prince’s Kiss. Latin-tinged Sangria Wine and super-hit Havana closed; it was here where Cabello truly resembled some of pop’s all-time greats.