Review & Photos by Tee Tolmar
Beatrice (Bea) Laus, professionally known as Beabadoobee, has been on the music scene since 2017, but her 2024 Rick Rubin-produced album, ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’, has catapulted her into the mainstream spotlight. Described as her first “adult” album by critics, it’s led the singer-songwriter to some impressive achievements. Not only did it chart as a UK No.1, but the tour supporting the release has been a sell-out success to match.
The O2 Academy in Glasgow hosted the electric opening night of the tour’s UK leg, where Beabadoobee kickstarted the concert with ‘California’. This opening grungy ballad was accompanied with rapidly pulsating lights. Despite admitting to some pre-show jitters, this was a powerful start to a dynamic set combining songs from across her musical career.
With recent career milestones behind her and increasingly larger audiences in front of her, it is no wonder that Bea felt some initial anxiety, but one could feel her graduate from nerves to self-assured excitement throughout her performance. Nine of the setlist’s 22 songs were from the new album, but its recent release did not stop the fans from singing along to every single word. A roaring call-and-response during ‘Sunny Day’ showed her command of the crowd, and a playful pinky promise before ‘She Plays Bass’ was all it took to have the entire room jumping in sync. At just 24, she has remarkable stage presence. She transfixed the room, commanding its mood with a wave of her hand as she moved between fast-paced indie-rock and softer, dreamier tunes.
The predominantly female audience and poignant lyrics exploring the transition from girlhood to womanhood created an atmosphere of shared experience. Her new single, ‘Girl Song’, and debut song, ‘Coffee’, seemed to be particular crowd favourites, transforming the venue into what felt like an intimate bedroom performance despite an audience of over 2000 people. ‘Coming Home’ proved to be a highlight, with the crowd’s humming serving as a backing track in the stripped-back arrangement, allowing Bea’s voice to take center stage. These quieter songs revealed what the louder songs sometimes drowned out: Bea’s delicate soprano which exhibits both raw emotion and technical precision.
As ‘See You Soon’ brought the night to a close, the sentiment felt particularly apt. After this stunning performance, we are sure that it won’t be long before beabadoobee commands a Glasgow stage again — although next time it might need to be a bigger venue.
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