Featured image and gallery: Georgina Hurdsfield

Following the release of her first Number 1 album, The Good Witch, Maisie Peters brings her magic to the sold-out crowd at the Manchester O2 Apollo. Already feeling like a gathering of best friends among the hustle and bustle of the crowd, Maisie quickly captures the room’s attention. When she asks if they are “ready to have the best night of their lives”, she’s met with excitable cheers all round.

Opening with ‘Coming of Age’, Maisie begins her enchanting set, strutting confidently around the stage in her matching co-ord. Blonde locks fly everywhere, she casts her entrancing spell. Next up comes ‘Body Better’, the lead single from her sophomore album, which is met with a full crowd sing-a-long as the ooh-ooh’s echo around the theatre-like venue.

The crowd is electric as arms are thrown in the air recklessly along with the music as everyone lets go. Her fans sing along to the relatable lyrics of feeling vulnerable after a breakup in unison. The scene feels like it belongs in a 90s teen romance film.

‘Love Him I Don’t’ takes the room straight back to 2021 and the release of Maisie’s debut album, You Signed Up For This. The predominantly female crowd clutch their chests as they sing the heart-wrenching words as Maisie strums her acoustic guitar, showcasing her trademark emotional honesty – the honesty that won over the hearts of fans across the globe.

Moments in the set where Maisie opens up about the tracks she’s about to sing fall flat, not because of the context she shares, but because it’s difficult to hear what she’s saying among the crowd talking to each other in between songs. This may have just been an issue towards the back of the crowd, but it takes away from the intimate experience of the venue. Although it’s not easy to follow what she’s saying at times, it’s endearing to see Maisie interacting with the fans and sharing her stories.

Half-way through the set Maisie debuts an unreleased song live titled ‘Holy Revival’, showing she is not slowing down from writing following the release of The Good Witch. Prior to ‘Not Another Rockstar’ Maisie asks the crowd about their worst “red flag story”. It can only just about be heard that a fan had been cheated on following a family funeral, as the crowd launches into lively discussions themselves.

‘Blonde’ is a welcome addition to the setlist as she continues to captivate the audience. Is that an angel? No, it’s Maisie Peters. She effortlessly belts out this pop bop, putting on an incredible performance as the crowd sings along. It’s obvious the adoration the fans have for this hit track, one of her releases that didn’t quite make the new album. ‘There It Goes’ feels almost therapeutic as Maisie encourages her fans to let go.

Maisie briefly exits the stage for a break, but it’s not long before she re-appears for the inevitable encore. ‘History of Man’ is emotional, especially as support artist Gretta Ray joins Maisie on stage for a heartfelt and powerful performance.

The last song of the night ‘Lost The Breakup’ steals the entire show. “Everyone of you has won the breakup” shouts Maisie, before the upbeat track kicks in. It is clear how loved Maisie is by her fans and how she empowers them with her lyrics about self-love and self-respect. Maisie’s energy is spectacular on stage and her set could be likened to someone who has been performing for over a decade. The show is certainly memorable and one fans will be reminiscing for a long time, until next time.