Georgia’s live performance seeks plenty of thrills, as well as total pop perfection
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM
Considering Georgia Barnes’ (AKA Georgia) second album, Seeking Thrills, only came out in January she has already firmly placed herself as one of the breakout acts of 2020.
She’s been on the road with the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and she’s about to join Tegan And Sara as their support act for their US tour in spring, proving that she’s ready to stand up next to some of the greats in the pop world.
But it’s at a sold-out show in London’s queerest spot, Heaven, on a cold Thursday night, that it feels like Georgia is about to ascend towards total pop perfection.
She might be alone on the stage, but she’s surrounded by a half-circle of equipment including drum pads, cymbals and synthesisers. From her very own DJ-booth, she owns the room. It all feels more like a club night than any traditional gig, but during the hour long set, Georgia playfully manipulates her music to make us all feel at home on the dance-floor.
After performing as a session drummer for Kate Tempest during the beginning of her music career, Georgia’s 2015 debut emerged as an undefined album which didn’t stick to any one genre. With Seeking Thrills, the definition is clear. Georgia is an electronic pop music genius and hearing it live takes it to another level.
During the set, when the electronic elements of her music allow it, she emerges from behind her drum kit to dance at the front of the stage with the adoring crowd. She raves along with everyone, making it all feel like the start of something really special. This is a celebration of dance music, pop music and how it brings us all together, and she’s front and centre leading the pack.
These playful moments of connection with the crowd really help to foster a community spirit among us dancing.
Dripping with dance beats and soaked in synths, she creates an atmosphere that is equal parts euphoric and reflective. Some highlights of the night include the hits Never Let You Go, Started Out and the latest single from the album, 24 Hours.
Music runs in her blood with dad, Neil Barnes (one half of British dance duo Leftfield), encouraging Georgia’s budding music obsession from an early age. From these experiences, Georgia is blessed with the ability to take influence from vintage dance hits and absorb them into her work whilst maintaining her own character and identity.
The set finishes with a bass-heavy cover of Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush, and with her wild, curly hair and fearless attitude when it comes to experimenting with sound, Georgia is certainly on the path to emulating more and more musical legends in her work and wowing audiences everywhere.
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