It’s been a long slog, but after five years of hustling, it appears that Mabel has finally made it. Last year’s ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ saw her pivot away from R&B and towards pop. The single launched her into a new stratum of stardom notching up a staggering 500 million streams and counting. Her subsequent debut album High Expectations reached the top three and with the UK tour of the same name being sold-out, it’s a strategy which definitely worked.

“

Her four backing dancers complimented the proceedings and made it easy to imagine her headlining even bigger venues

Supporting both Harry Styles and Khalid, as well as playing at numerous festivals across the world, has obviously readied Mabel for her biggest tour to date. Emerging from the top of a staircase to a sea of mobile phones and a screaming crowd of teenagers would be an overwhelming experience for even the most seasoned of professionals, yet Mabel exuded confidence and charisma as the audience shouted along to every word of opening number ‘Mad Love’.

On her breakthrough hit ‘Finders Keepers’ she really hit her stride, zigzagging across the stage and endeavouring her fans to sing along even louder. Her four backing dancers complimented the proceedings and made it easy to imagine her headlining even bigger venues. Mabel found her niche with trop-pop influenced R&B and most of the set list was dedicated to showcasing those songs taken from her debut album. However, at times it became quite aurally exhausting as she rattled through similar sounding songs. The brooding ‘Come Over’ and 2015’s sunny ‘Thinking of You’ came as welcome respite before musical monotony had the chance to set in.

“

With the BRIT Awards just around the corner and with three nominations to her name, surely the only way is up for Mabel

As stylish as the show was, it was not all style over substance. Before singing ‘OK (Anxiety Anthem)’ Mabel spoke eloquently about battling the voices in her own head and the words clearly resonated with the audience who seemed to appreciate their idol expressing her honesty.

An artist could only wish for a song as catchy as ‘Don’t Call Me Up,’ and it served its purpose as a well-executed encore for the hour-long tour around her trop-pop discography. With the BRIT Awards just around the corner and with three nominations to her name, surely the only way is up for Mabel. The foundations for a stellar career have already been made, and with more music on the horizon, she is well positioned to become the next big pop powerhouse.

Interested in more live reviews of up-and-coming female artists? Try these:
Live Review: Joy Crookes
Live Review: Phoebe Bridgers

Or for more of our thoughts on Mabel:
Live Review: Ruel/Mabel
Live Review: Mabel