A line is forming around the side of the O2 Academy Islington in preparation for Erin Kinsey to take the stage. The scene is filled with couples, country hats, families, and singletons — all looking ready for a party. The energy is building as country classics and pop bangers belt through the speakers, from Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ to Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ the pre-show playlist fits perfectly into the description of Kinsey herself — an explosion of pop and country.
So it begins; red and yellow lights swivel around the stage as drummer (usual lead guitarist) Max Demarco and fellow guitarist Michael Kight enter their palace for the evening. Erin Kinsey struts on stage looking more picturesque than her Instagram; long blonde locks, mic at the ready, wearing one of her staple pieces of attire, a matching waistcoat and trousers — she looks ready for business.
Kinsey waltzes around the stage with unlimited energy. ‘Gettin Away With It’ has the crowd captivated, the band reads the room and quiets, allowing us to mimick a set of drums, clapping our hands in unison with the beat, “I’m so excited to be here tonight with you.” This is more than a concert for Kinsey, this is her first headline show in London and she’s heard that “London rocks a little bit different.” This was proven when newly released single ‘Strangers’ was performed, and already it was a fan favourite. “London has done its homework”, Kinsey shouts, as the audience screams ‘I used to wear your t-shirts, still got some hanging around, you knew every inch of my skin, we drove every mile of this town.’
The crowd matched the energy as ‘I Ain’t Crazy’ began to play, and guitars, drums, and vocals begin conversing back and forth; sometimes competing in solos, other times listening to each other, answering in duets. Each master of the instrument commands with power and personality. The crowd chants ‘intuition over suspicion‘ like a football chant across Wembley, and Kinsey turns to us, “London, that right there is fun for us.” I’ve realised why Erin Kinsey stands out so clearly in a sea of musicians; her guitar skills are unmatched as a singer and songwriter — it’s enough to make you run home and book lessons.
Kinsey pauses to tell the crowd the next songs are ones that made her fall in love with country music. Her guitar is smoking as she performs a mash-up of Tim McGraw’s ‘I Like It, I Love it’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ‘Love Somebody Like You’ by Keith Urban. It’s a wonderful insight into Erin’s personality.
Next up is my favourite part of a gig; the acoustic set, a rare moment where it’s an artist, their instrument and the crowd, “where it all started.” Kinsey threw us right off with a treat for the original fans — a 2022 release. Kinsey jokes, “I like that song but really just didn’t like him,” referring to the boy it was originally written about, but explaining how she now thinks of her sister when singing ‘I Got You’, this song is about a “person that you see and you’re instantly home.” Kinsey has an incredible warmth to her stage presence, looking every member of the crowd in their eyes. At one point, she looks to a man holding up the light on his phone and says, “I’m not gonna let you hold your light up alone.” Just like that, everyone else’s light goes up, and he is not alone.
Erin Kinsey left more than just her mark on London; she left her lyrics, her music, and her individuality (along with friendliness, sass, and a whole lot of fun). it’s clear that London will welcome her back anytime, as long as she brings that guitar of hers!
