The lights dimmed, and the anticipation rose as the pianist laid his fingers on the keys. Shortly followed by the violinists, the crowd was certainly in for a treat with Celeste at her sold-out show at Manchester Academy 2.
‘This Is Who I Am’ opened the night, seamlessly continuing the beautiful arrangements from the orchestra. The moment she walked on stage, chills went through the venue. With its deep, cinematic tone and powerful vocals, the track carried a James Bond vibe. The crowd stood captivated in her presence. Celeste introduced ‘Happening Again’ as a track off her new album, explaining that it reflects the themes and issues she’s been exploring in her songwriting. Her vocals were paired perfectly with the string accompaniment.
Shifting into ‘Everyday’, she teased, “This is a saucy song, I suppose,” as the stage glowed purple while the plucked violins drove the song. Moments later, she delivered an a cappella rendition of ‘Ideal Woman’ after a fan shouted it was their favourite. Celeste invited the audience to sing along, turning the track into a shared yet personal moment.
Introducing ‘Time Will Tell’, she reflected, “It’s a song about trusting time to give you what you like and trusting yourself to get you there.” The crowd fell silent, hanging on every lyric, her vocals commanding the room.
The spontaneity of the night became part of its magic. When fans called out for ‘On With The Show’, Celeste delivered, explaining its roots in grief and the journey of moving forward. A delicate piano and deep cello accompaniment gave the performance a new energy, proving her ability to command a room with stillness just as powerfully as with vocal power.
A brief pause in the show came when a fan fainted in the crowd. Celeste left the stage lights and went into the crowd to check on her, later dedicating ‘Woman of Faces’ to her. When she performed the track, also the title song of her newest album, the crowd sang along, carried by her effortless and soaring vocals.
One of the emotional high points of the night came with ‘Strange’. As Celeste delivered the opening lines, goosebumps rippled through the room, her voice delicate yet powerful. The audience stood completely still, absorbing every note. By the time she reached the final chorus, many were left wiping away tears, overwhelmed by the vulnerability of her performance. ‘Strange’ silenced the entire venue in the most special way, reminding everyone of Celeste’s unique ability to turn raw emotion into art. The venue was left with the warmth of her presence.
If you enjoyed reading this article please consider buying us a coffee. The money from this pot goes towards the ever increasing yearly costs of running and hosting the site, and our "Writer Of The Month" cash prize.