Live Report: Gracie Abrams captivates 3Arena

Gracie Abrams delighted 3Arena on Monday, selling out the 13,000 capacity venue.

Dora Jar took the stage just before 8 p.m., donning a burnt orange sweater and black poofy skirt. The bedroom pop musician kicked off her set with a performance of ‘Debbie Darling’ off her debut album No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire. Powerful but delicate, her voice filled the auditorium with melodic and introspective lyricism.

“I've never been to Ireland in my whole life. Well, it's amazing that we made it,” she said. “We came here on a ferry. It feels like there are many fairies in here tonight.”

Fans clapped along as the singer danced hypnotically around stage. Picking up an acoustic guitar, she lurched back and forth, earning screams of approval.

“It still hasn’t fully set into my conscious mind that this is real,” she confessed. “If this is real, will you say ‘Hello’?” The crowd shouted back at her, excited and ready for the main act.

Speckled throughout the audience were yellow and white bows, with fans screaming for Abrams before she even graced the stage. When she arrived, dazzling visuals danced in the background. Abrams wore a long white gown, and opened her set with ‘Felt Good About You’ off her 2024 album The Secret of Us. Her confessional lyricism and strong voice instantly gripped the audience, who sang along to every line.

“I want to not ramble, but I just wanted to tell you that Dublin has been one of my favourite cities to play,” she told the crowd. “The first show that we played here was like a 150 capacity room. I remember it so clearly because the energy that you guys bring every single time is just unparalleled.”

Abrams began performing the fan-favourite, ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry.’ In spite of the booming sound system, I struggled to hear her voice over the roar of the audience. She kneeled down at the edge of the stage, blowing hand kisses and singing with fans. Another highlight was the 2021 track ‘Mess It Up,’ speaking to the complications of a broken relationship.

“You guys actually know every single word,” Abrams commented. “It’s insane. Thank you for screaming with me.”

The artist eventually made her way to a stage deeper into the crowd. She sat down on a cozy bed to play the keyboard, providing an intimate feel.

During her performance of ‘Normal Thing,’ fans on the upper level turned on their flashlights. Green, white and orange lights gently bobbed, creating a large Irish flag.

“How did you do that?” Abrams exclaimed, smiling.

Some fans so overwhelmed with emotion to the point of tears. Taking out a black polaroid camera, Abrams took four photos of the audience. She spoke to the importance of friendship, and encouraged fans to hug the companions they brought to her show.

One audience member handed her a homemade book, titled “To Gracie, From Us,” filled with handwritten notes and messages.

“All of you are such bright lights in this world, and being together with you gives me so much hope and just brings me joy,” Abrams said. “I hope that you feel that I'm as much there for you as you’ve been there for me over the past few years. Every single one of you, I adore so much.”

The artist closed off her set with ‘Close To You,’ though the audience definitely hungered for more. With a strong connection to her listeners and clear love of music, Abrams made the large venue feel intimate and close-knit.

“Dublin, thank you so much,” she said before leaving the stage. “I couldn’t possibly love you more.”