Live Report: Natasha Bedingfield treats Iveagh Gardens with a set full of hits and classic covers

Fresh from her guest appearance at the Galway International Arts Festival, Natasha Bedingfield stunned the crowd at the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin on Friday night.

The Grammy-nominated artist announced herself 21 years ago with her 2004 album Unwritten, which sold over 2.3 million coped worldwide. Her song of the same name has become somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon, featuring in numerous films, with the 2023 rom-com Anyone But You helping reignite its popularity.

Donning a monochrome black outfit with slacks and a mesh top, Bedingfield began the sold-out Dublin show with a call and response from the crowd, before kicking into her 2007 song 'Love Like This'. The audience, full of energy, quickly started singing along and swayed their arms side to side with the music; the tune's classic 2000s feel and lighthearted tone laying down a marker for the rest of the evening. The heavy drums and Arctic Monkeys-evoking guitar solo injected the track with rock undertones.

Natasha Bedingfield at Iveagh Gardens on July 18th, 2025. Copyright Jason Doherty/ hotpress.com

Bedingdfield's lively personality shone throughout as she ran around stage, held high notes and head-banged.

There were plenty surprise covers thrown in too, including  a stirring version of 'Glory Box' by Portishead with a verse sang by her guitarist. The song's prominent bass line and solo helped Bedingfield stay true to the original song, while her poignant vocals shined through.

As the sun began to set over Iveagh Gardens, Bedingfield sang a rendition of 'BIRDS OF A FEATHER' by Billie Eilish. The former's version took on a more upbeat tone than the original, with snappy bass and an optimistic take on the lyrics helping the track to seamlessly fit into her performance.

"Don't worry there's not jumbotrons here," joked Bedingfield as she shifted into an evocative rendition of 'Politik' by Coldplay, before moving to an riveting cover of The Cranberries' 'Zombie'.

Both songs were bursting with heavy rock guitar and drums, creating a classic rock sound. Her ability to switch between songs and genres underlined the depth of Bedigfield's talent. What really stood out however, were her soul-baring vocals, which transformed each song by pumping them with impactful emotion.

Bedingfield's lauded version of the iconic 'Purple Rain' by Prince might be a far cry from her usual music style, but it was just as captivating. The song featured some Van Halen-style shredding, as fans waved their flashlights in the air while Bedingfield got on her knees to belt out the lyrics.

For all the great covers on display, her original hits more than held their own. Bedingfield slowed things down with the emotional 'Soulmate' from her second album N.B., the song's soft vocals and instrumentals sparking a somber singalong from the audience, as the electric guitar was swapped for slow paced acoustic chords.

"Did you know that my first hit anywhere in the whole wide world was here in Ireland," she told onlookers. "You guys got soul."

She then juxtaposed the tone with her uplifting anthem 'Single', which, as the title suggests, is all about finding power in deciding to be single.

"Is there anyone here who's single?" Bedingfield asked, which resulted in screams from the crowd.

The prominent electric guitar brimmed with a classic 80s feel, while the visuals behind her shifted from a forest to the view from the inside of a kaleidoscope as the song began.

Natasha Bedingfield at Iveagh Gardens on July 18th, 2025. Copyright Jason Doherty/ hotpress.com

Bedingfield tore through her lively 2021 single 'Adorable', with its jazzed-up bass line and mantra-like lyrics, before moving on to a classic in 'Pocketful of Sunshine'. It was a moment fans had clearly been waiting for, as they lapped up the energetic pop tune and its uniquely cheerful keyboard riff.

With half an hour left, Bedingfield transitioned towards her grand finale, comprising some of her most popular songs. She started the run of tunes with the classic love song 'These Words', a spritely staccato tune where the lyrics are broken up by keyboard and drum riffs.

Natasha Bedingfield at Iveagh Gardens on July 18th, 2025. Copyright Jason Doherty/ hotpress.com

"I've got new music in working on," announced Bedingfield, before bursting into the much-awaited 'Unwritten'. As soon as the unmistakable keyboard riff played, a newfound energy rippled through the crowd, who sang along to each and every vitalising lyric.

Bedingfield ended the night with a high-energy electronic remix of 'These Words', pulling out her phone to record the crowd as everyone jumped to the music.

Despite not having released an album in six years, Bedingfield's performance at Iveagh Gardens is evidence that she still possesses the ability to sell out shows and create a one-of-a-kind experience for her fans.