Leona Rue Turns the Page at The Grace
On 22 March, opening for crysometimes at The Grace in London, Leona Rue drew the room into her confessional intimacy.
Read our interview with Leona Rue on the digital version of our Autumn / Winter ‘25 print.
The night opened with new track ‘Start Again’, debuted for the first time with a full band, who only added to the upbeat coming-of-age momentum of the song with their dynamic playing styles. This opening was a fitting choice for a set that felt like a bridge, or a catapult, launching us into a new era with an unapologetic grin. Following close behind, ‘Annabelle’ from her last EP Practice Sincerity then filled the room with a looser, more chaotic excitement, its tongue-in-cheek storytelling gaining extra drive in a live setting.
Image by Niall Mirza
The set was punctuated by conversations between old and new. Slowing things down, Leona introduced her unreleased ‘Germany Song’ – an ode to the final moments of realising a relationship has to end after yet another fight. Immediately, the soft catharsis of ‘Daisy’, a standout from Practice Sincerity, filled the room. Arguably the most beautiful moment of the night, the crowd was captivated in an almost hypnotic silence, swaying phone torches slowly in the air while the band played.
This show was my first time seeing Leona play with her full band, and it was inspiring to see them breathe new life into even the most intimate of songs. Of course, they similarly elevated the ensuing upbeat tracks from the EP, showcasing their range by tapping into the more energetic side of Leona’s musical expression.
Images by Niall Mirza
Closing the show, the band launched into unreleased track ‘Lie For Me’, which is quickly becoming a fan-favourite (it’s me, I’m the fan). The song is an absolute banger in its own right, with an explosive bridge that builds on the chorus’s momentum without pause. In context, the song becomes both a promising glimpse of what’s next for Leona Rue and an apt metaphor for an artist who certainly isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
After the show, we had the opportunity to hand Leona Rue our last print in person! She and her band are such incredible performers, and we’re so glad we got to sit down and chat with her last year ahead of her (still very secret) upcoming project.
