British singer/songwriter/producer Griff brought her Vertigo world tour to a sold-out crowd at The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on October 7. The 23 year old pop sensation is touring in promotion of her album Vertigo which released in July. On the album, Griff states that “every song has been written from an emotional sense of vertigo- that dizzy upside down sensation that heartache often leaves you with.” Although only halfway through the world tour, she is nearing the end of her US leg. Fans packed The Wiltern Theatre in eager anticipation, ready to be swept up in the whirlwind of emotions she was sure to deliver, and excited to experience Griff’s emotive storytelling and signature synth-pop sound up close.

American alternative pop singer Stephen Dawes opened the night with a set of guitar-driven tracks, delivering smooth vocals that complemented his laid-back sound. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer amassed a following on social media after posting a cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” that went viral on TikTok. He has since released numerous singles, and in September, released his first EP, Up At Night. Dawes danced across the stage as he opened his set with the titular track from his EP. Dawes was all business during the set, in most instances stopping only to introduce the title of the next song. The singer played through all of the tracks from his EP, along with many of his other singles, and, of course, the cover of “Teenage Dream” that catapulted him into the spotlight. His version of the song was stripped down, but built in energy, and had the whole crowd singing along. The crowd could be heard singing along as Dawes closed his set with “Want Me.” 

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Fans, many dressed to emulate Griff’s signature style, eagerly awaited the moment the powerhouse would take the stage, their anticipation palpable throughout the venue. Just a few years ago, Griff played to a crowd of less than 200 people at the Moroccan lounge, and on this night, she would sell out the 2,300 capacity Wiltern theater, a testament to her rise to stardom. The stage setup was simple, with a platform for her drummer, keyboardist, and her own keys, as well as a lit chandelier in the shape of her signature vertigo spiral. As Griff took the stage, opening with “Vertigo,” the crowd erupted into cheers. The lyrics of the song echoed throughout the room as every last person sang along. She launched right into “Pillow in My Arms” and “19th Hour” before taking a break to address the fans in the audience. Griff noted that it was someone’s birthday and took a moment to sing “happy birthday” which had the crowd cheering and joining in to celebrate the special moment. Griff played all but one song from Vertigo, with “Hole in My Pocket” notably missing from the setlist. Griff made things a little more intimate by joining the crowd for a run of 3 acoustic songs beginning with “So Fast.” Griff provided some insight into her songwriting process for the album, noting that she produced approximately 100 songs which were narrowed down to the 14 that made the cut for the album. Each night of tour, Griff unearths a song from the archive of those that did not make the album, treating the audience to a song that has never before been heard. On this evening, Griff played a song titled “A Stranger Took Your Body.” The crowd was absolutely silent, watching in awe as she belted the lyrics, surrounded by a sea of fans. Griff played “Everlasting” before returning to the stage to play another unreleased song, “Last Night’s Mascara,” teaching the crowd the claps to participate during the chorus. 

Griff performed with limitless stamina and flawless vocals, dancing, jumping, spinning, and running from one side of the stage to the other without ever missing a beat, keeping the audience fully energized and engaged throughout the entire show. Griff exuded humility which made her instantly relatable to those in attendance. She spoke with a genuine warmth, as if talking to a room full of old friends. Her down-to-earth demeanor allowed for an easy connection to her fans, whether she was sharing the inspiration behind her songs or taking a moment to acknowledge individual fans. It was clear she genuinely valued each person in the room and was grateful for the support of each and every fan. 

In addition to tracks from Vertigo, the setlist included tracks from her debut album, One Foot In Front of the Other, and other singles. Griff ended her set with “Anything” before returning for an encore of “The Astronaut” and “Tears for Fun.” Griff’s performance was one to remember and left the audience buzzing with excitement. There is no doubt that this is just the beginning for Griff. Shortly after the show ended, Griff surpassed 500k followers on Instagram, a testament to her growing popularity and the impact of a spectacular performance that night. Griff is a global superstar in the making, effortlessly blending her musical talent with an authentic connection to her fans, which positions her for continued success in the industry.

The US leg of the Vertigo tour ends in Tempe, AZ on October 11, but you can catch Griff on the road supporting Sabrina Carpenter through October 30 in Dallas, TX. The next leg of the tour kicks off in November in the UK and continues through December 3 when it ends in Madrid. Tickets can be purchased here. 

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