Live Coverage: Orla Gartland – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

      On the second-to-last date of her UK and Europe ‘Hero’ tour, Orla Gartland performed at O2 Forum Kentish Town. Dressed in a cape and radiating energy, she was met with a crowd that matched her enthusiasm, creating a night that was a jubilant showcase of Orla's pop performance, resembling both a festivity and a collective release.

      The night commenced with performances from twst and Hohnen Ford, offering contrasting sounds – twst delivered shimmering, upbeat glitch-pop while Ford provided a more ethereal, harmony-rich introduction. Together, they established a vibrant atmosphere for Gartland's eclectic style.

      When Gartland took the stage, she received an enthusiastic welcome, kicking off her set with the dynamic duo of ‘SOUND OF LETTING GO’ and ‘Kiss Ur Face Forever’ from her second album ‘Everybody Needs a Hero’, before transitioning to her debut album ‘Woman On The Internet’ with ‘Codependency’. The sound filled the room; the percussion resonated powerfully, chunky riffs were clear, and Gartland’s vocals soared. The crowd sprang to life, jumping and singing along in an anthemic exchange.

      ‘More Like You’ marked a transition as Gartland picked up an acoustic guitar for the first time, bringing a sense of introspection from her earlier work. This smoothly led into ‘Mine’, a simplified solo performance featuring just her and the guitar, as the crowd’s buzz faded into a captivated silence – creating one of the evening's most moving moments. This quiet intensity was soon reignited by the synth-heavy ‘Backseat Driver’, restoring the energy.

      Navigating a mix of playful spontaneity and refined precision, Gartland maintained control of the audience. Anticipation lingered with each song she performed, all retaining the same enthusiasm as the opener. During ‘Late To The Party’, Gartland switched things up, taking over the drums while her drummer, Sara, energized the crowd. By now, the Kentish Forum buzzed with the excitement of a football stadium, albeit with a different audience.

      Gartland's theatrical flair was a constant throughout the show, only getting stronger as the night progressed. The encore kicked off with a ‘Wheel of Fortune’-style intro, featuring a spinning wheel with song options for the final segment of the night. Gartland invited a fan on stage – someone who had undergone heart surgery while listening to ‘Flatline’ – to spin the wheel. In a fortuitous twist, it landed on that very song, sending another surge of excitement through the crowd.

      Following this, Gartland powered through the title track ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’ before diving into the energetic ‘Little Chaos’, which included her very first successful stage dive. She gave it her all, and so did everyone present. For one night in London, Gartland truly became a hero to hundreds. The audience screamed, danced, and matched every ounce of energy she exuded. There was a palpable feeling that for just over an hour, no one wanted to be anywhere else. Balancing pop spectacle with genuine connection, Orla Gartland demonstrates that she not only writes songs for a generation navigating life’s challenges but also embodies a fearless, fun vulnerability, inspiring others to be the hero of their own narrative.

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      Words: Kayla Sandiford

      Photo Credit: Finnegan Travers

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