Sydney Rose is swiftly checking off experiences, making it hard to keep track. She recently traveled to Europe for the first time, during which she completed her inaugural UK headline tour and performed at her first festival. This festival opportunity was a support slot for Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams at BST Hyde Park in London, which was also her first time sharing the stage with such prominent artists.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Performing at Hyde Park was incredible because I’ve been a fan of Noah Kahan for years, along with Gracie and others. It was thrilling to sing alongside them, observe their performances, and witness the large crowd that came to see them. It was just such a fantastic opportunity.”
“I had never participated in a festival before, so I had to calm myself and think, ‘It needs to be relaxing, or I’m going to lose it.’ But I was fine. It was a brief set, so it went by quickly. As soon as I got off stage, I thought, ‘Yay, now I get to watch Noah!’”
Born and raised in Georgia, USA, Rose began her musical journey singing with a church worship band before moving on to cover songs and sharing them on social media. After her cover of ‘Turning Page’ by Sleeping At Last gained significant attention online, she secured her first record deal at the age of 18.
Like many artists who gained initial fame online, Rose's live performance experience came later, as the traditional artist development model continues to evolve. Up until April 2025, Rose had never performed her own show. However, by early July, she had completed multiple dates across the US and Europe, including two consecutive nights at London's Omeara.
“I enjoyed these shows because they felt intimate, just me and my bandmate, Lydia. It was the perfect first tour since I could see every person—and every sign they held up,” Rose shares. “After the large shows I had done prior, it was refreshing to have that sense of familiarity.”
“Sometimes I do TikTok Lives, just me in my room playing guitar and singing. That’s what I’ve always done. So being able to replicate that on my first tour felt very comfortable,” she admits.
This sense of comfort is something Rose clung to during her fast and sometimes tumultuous path to where she is now. Her first record deal led to an EP and debut album ('One Sided'), but in April 2024, she was unexpectedly dropped by her label. Embracing her newfound independence, Rose released another EP and then her massively viral hit, 'We Hug Now.'
“I’m grateful for the journey I’ve had,” Rose reflects. “I appreciated my first label for helping me release a lot of music and enhancing my songwriting skills.” She pauses. “Being dropped turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I wanted to change direction. I produced the 'Voice Memos' EP entirely on my own and own it completely… I feel lucky to have experienced situations that taught me valuable lessons, and I feel like I’m in a good place now.”
“If one of my songs had gone viral when I was 18 or 19, I don't think I could have handled it then. The timing worked out perfectly for me,” she adds.
The attention from her viral hit opened up new opportunities and shifted her approach to songwriting.
“At first, I wasn’t touring at all and had no chances to go on tour. So while creating music, I didn’t think about its live performance aspect,” she explains. “Now, when I write, I consider which lines or parts of a song would really resonate in a live setting.”
Now signed to a new label, Rose not only has the chance to tour for the first time but also to experience new places and share her music with diverse audiences. Through all this, music has kept her grounded.
“I don’t feel nervous on stage. I remember what it’s like to be one of those kids in the crowd watching my favorite artist. So, when I’m up there, I remind myself that these people bought tickets to see me, know my songs, and maybe have a favorite that I’m about to perform,” she says. “I cherish my music… Performing it live is my favorite part. I create these songs hoping that people can relate.”
Rose has learned a great deal from her favorite songwriters, naming Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Daughter, Conan Gray, and Cavetown among her influences. She’s also been listening to a lot of The 1975, Taylor Swift, Lorde, and 21 Pilots. However, drawing from her personal experiences is essential when it comes to her own songwriting.
“I don’t connect with a song unless it’s based on something I’ve experienced,” she states. “That’s why many relate to my music – I strive to be as honest as possible.”
Like many artists in her genre, Rose
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Sydney Rose is rapidly checking off experiences, making it challenging to keep track. She has recently traveled to Europe for the first time, where she completed her inaugural UK trip.