By Olivia Judd (@oliviacjudd)
In the intimate and warmly lit setting of Omeara, Rachel Chinouriri took to the stage for a night of raw emotion, soaring vocals, and deep connection – all in support of War Child’s BRITs Week 2025. With every ticket contributing to War Child’s vital work for children affected by conflict, the evening carried a greater purpose beyond the music. Rachel herself made this clear, dedicating her performance to the cause and reinforcing the power of community in standing up for those in need.
Opening the night was Hannah Morgan, who captivated the crowd with her stripped-back set accompanied by just a guitarist. Her songwriting was deeply personal, marked by striking imagery and raw storytelling that held the audience in quiet awe. Many of her songs revolved around the same heartbreak, a fact she joked about onstage – “this song’s about the very same boy” – eliciting laughter from the crowd. The intimate nature of her performance, coupled with the audience’s warm engagement, set the tone for an evening of deep emotion and collective experience.
From the moment Rachel Chinouriri stepped under Omeara’s golden arch, it was clear this would be a special performance. Despite the cosy venue, the energy was abundant – her fans made their presence known, singing every word back to her with an almost euphoric intensity. One of the night’s most beautiful moments came when she invited two fans onstage to perform Even, originally a duet with Cat Burns. As the entire room swayed and sang in unison, there was a tangible sense of togetherness that made the performance feel even more meaningful.
Rachel took a poignant pause in the set to dedicate Robbed to War Child, tying the song’s themes to the organisation’s important mission. Sharing that her own parents were child soldiers in the 1970s and 80s, she spoke about the trauma they endured and how it shaped her perspective. “Every morning, I write down what I’m grateful for,” she said. “And today, I’m grateful for all of you – supporting families who have been torn apart by war. As a community, we must fight for children and their freedom.” It was a powerful reminder of why the night mattered.
Performing What A Devastating Turn of Events, the title track of her debut album, Rachel was visibly emotional, holding hands with audience members and blowing kisses, reassuring them that she loved everyone in the room. But it was So My Darling that brought the most tears – not just from Rachel, but from the audience, too. She wiped her eyes before beginning the song, sharing how she had written it aged 17 while studying at the BRIT School. “I wrote this when I felt so lonely. I thought music would save me – and in a way, with all of you standing here, it has.”
Balancing the emotional weight of the night with moments of joy, she also debuted a brand-new, unreleased song, Can We Talk About Isaac – an upbeat love song. Laughing, she admitted she didn’t know how to write something positive until she “fell in love with a lovely man.” The crowd embraced the shift in mood, dancing along to the fresh, infectious melody.
For her final song, Rachel left the stage only to reappear within the crowd itself, jumping and dancing alongside her fans in a moment of pure, unfiltered joy. The audience completely adored her, and as the night came to a close, it was clear that this wasn’t just a gig – it was a communal experience of catharsis, love, and purpose.
With her raw authenticity, storytelling depth, and unwavering connection to her audience, Rachel Chinouriri proved once again why she is one of the most compelling voices in music today. And in the spirit of War Child’s mission, the night stood as a testament to how music can be both a refuge and a rallying cry for change.
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