The Welsh singer-songwriter takes the stage with an enviable confidence, sparkling from head to toe in glitter and, er, safety pins.
By Caitlin Chatterton
The custom corset is from Suzie Walsh, stylist and designer behind much of Greta’s signature aesthetic. Although her first EP, PESSIMIST, was only released this year on May 14th, Greta has wasted no time in building her image and shows no sign of slowing down.
Like her EP the night starts out with ‘Power’, a song that builds from gentle harmonies to show off a true vocal talent. The title track follows (“an ode to myself,” Greta grins), with the crowd chanting the lyrics over an infectious drumline. Greta’s already earned herself a pretty loyal following - people who have queued up early to be front and centre while they dance along.
The celebration of her EP then rolls into ‘How To Be A Woman’, a facetious look at gender roles that sees Greta roll her eyes at how “we live in a society that preys on our / deepest insecurities in order to drive perpetual economic growth”.
Despite its name, ‘FU’ demands a break from the higher-intensity tracks, the spirit of rebellion making way for a brief moment of despondency. Two of Greta’s closest friends, fellow artists Dodie and Orla Gartland, join her on stage for the number; Orla has just finished her Woman on the Internet tour (with Greta as support), whilst Dodie played her greatest show yet at the Apollo last month. This stripped-back arrangement blends their voices together with seamless familiarity, a testament to their friendship.
‘You’, a relative throwback from 2017, seems to epitomise Greta’s style: reverberating pop with a noughties rock edge, inspired by her childhood favourites. Speaking to Notion, she revealed that Avril Lavigne’s Let Go was one of the first CDs she ever bought - tonight, Lavigne’s influence is honoured with a cover of ‘I’m with You’. “It’s a song by an up and coming artist,” Greta jokes. “It’s a fucking banger.”
‘5’1’, released last month, takes on a more indie-pop sound, as Greta stubbornly ruminates on a previous relationship: “I know you hate me smoking / but my smoking hates you more / you’re stressed and I’m bored”. Despite its recency the crowd sing along with an unwavering passion, close enough to reach out and touch. It’s the kind of intimacy you can only get at a show this size.
Caitlin's own images.
Omeara may have a capacity of just over three hundred, but Greta’s voice - and reception - are big enough to fill a venue ten times that size. She’s already carved out a distinct sound for herself, lacing together pop and indie rock, and it’s cultivating a fanbase brimming with enthusiasm. As she plays us out with 'Like You', it's clear: Greta Isaac’s star is on the rise, and I can’t wait to see where it lands.
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