ERIN KINSEY @ O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON | 27/08/2025

Fresh off the back of The Long Road Festival, Texas country music singer-songwriter, Erin Kinsey, left London with a night to remember for her first headline show in the UK. From a venue upgrade to classic country medleys, and even a strip-tease merch plug by her guitarist, Erin Kinsey cemented herself as a rising star not to be missed this side of the pond.

Up-and-coming Missouri-born, Halle Kearns, opened the night with an acoustic set that felt more like a hometown show - almost an extension of her Front Porch slot at The Long Road Festival. Taking it back to where it all began, Pick Me Up, was first up on the setlist. Building a name for herself through honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity, this was clear from the start. Kearns had just found out that she had a new nephew, with the crowd wholesomely shouting “WE LOVE YOU LANEY” to the camera, to be sent back home. Her unreleased breakup song Scenic Route, husband-duet Love You Back, and Taylor Swift's Love Story (“In light of recent events”) also made the setlist. Closing with The Boot, Kearns had these Londoners swinging their cowboy boots in the air for free CDs, frisbeed out by her husband and a little cowgirl from the crowd.

For the penultimate European date of her 'GETTIN' AWAY WITH IT' tour, Erin Kinsey gave her full Texas force. Walking on to Sweet Caroline and Espresso, a glimpse into her music personality maybe, this was sure to hype up all types of people in the crowd. Tabs On Me from the 2024 record and the newly-released Blue Jean Baby, dropped just the week before, set things off. “London rocks a little different” said Kinsey as she seemed humbled by the spark of the crowd. Ttitle track Gettin’ Away With It, and I Ain’t Crazy came out swinging as Kinsey kept the country dial turned up to 11. Growing up listening to 90’s country in the back of a truck, Kinsey paid homage to her roots with a classics melody shredding to the likes of Sweet Home Alabama, before kicking the band off for a heart-to-heart acoustic rendition of Boys In Boots. Showing her appreciation for packing out the venue, even after an upgrade, Kinsey opened up her VIP meet-and-greet afterparty to anyone who bought merchandise - which is where that strip-tease showcase of tshirts and caps came in before the quick venue turnaround.

In what could have been a make-or-break for their first UK headline show, the band did actually play the night as a three piece. “Praise God that my guitar player, just happens to be a hell of a drummer.” Steven Kadar, Kinsey’s drummer, had to fly back home for a family emergency before the show, leaving the band a quick switch-up, playing to tracked lead guitar. For some artists at the start of their career, this could have been a bust, but through this, Kinsey and what was left of the band, showed their true talents as musicians.

Erin Kinsey is definitely one to watch.