Last August, Gracie Abrams’ Secret of Us Deluxe Tour took Los Angeles by storm with 2 sold out shows at the Kia Forum. Filled to the brim with teenage girls donning lacy bows and t-shirts referencing lyrics, Abrams united audiences and solidified her spot as a bona-fide pop star.
Since the release of her first EP ‘minor’ in 2020 and its accompanying Zoom concerts, Abrams has experienced a steady rise to fame. Though many accredit the singer’s fame to her Star Wars: Force Awakens director father, J.J. Abrams, Gracie’s vulnerable lyrics and dedicated fanbase have set her apart from her nepo baby peers.
After years of recording and performing albums, Abrams’ music skyrocketed greatly in 2022 and 2023 following her performances as an opening act for Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Recognition from Rodrigo and Swift, some of the biggest names in pop music, exposed Abrams’ honest breakup songs to millions of new ears, leading to many of her singles going viral on Tiktok and entering the Billboard Hit 100.
This upward momentum catalyzed into a series of deluxe tracks on her The Secret of Us album, including “That’s So True.” This song took the world by storm last November with its catchy chorus and relatable subject matter, sparking many trends on social media and earning Abrams her biggest commercial hit yet. Though Gracie toured The Secret of Us when it first came out, she is now returning to arenas with thousands of fans new and old coming to hear the album’s new tracks.
Entering the Secret of Us Deluxe Tour’s Los Angeles concert at the Forum, the excitement was palpable. Girls of all ages gathered hours before the show to pose in front of the posters, make TikToks to Abrams’ music, and guess the surprise song she’d sing.
As the concert began, it was difficult to ignore the enthusiasm of the audience. When Abrams yelled at the beginning of the show, “scream every word!” the crowd delivered. The sea of bow-adorning teens shouted out every lyric perfectly, even to the most deepcut, unreleased tracks.
But, it wasn’t just the audience that made this concert experience unforgettable. It was also Abrams’ genuine love for her work and fans that shone through at every moment. One moment that stood out, for example, was Abrams reading from her journal midway through the performance to express her gratitude for her opener, crew, and supporters.
For many of Abrams’ fellow pop singer friends, it’s expected that a show of this magnitude would include various costumes and set pieces, as well as choreography by a crew of background dancers. However, Gracie opted for a more intimate feel with just her band, a guitar, and a B-stage designed to look like her childhood bedroom. This choice made the 17,000 seat arena feel like an indie coffee house, fitting perfectly with her acoustic style of music.
That isn’t to say Abrams’ music is all soft, mellow ballads. At several points throughout the concert – most notably for “Free Now” and “I Told You Things” – Abrams belted out high notes as the audience screamed them right back at her. During the encore, “Close to You,” Abrams urged the crowd to dance their hearts out, which they certainly did.
For many fans, Abrams’ concerts are a cathartic opportunity to cry out lyrics reminding them of their worst heartbreak, letting them process their emotions in a safe environment. For others, a Gracie Abrams concert is a chance to witness a talented rising star sing some of the catchiest songs of the year.
Regardless of which of these umbrellas you fall under, I recommend everyone go see Gracie Abrams’ Secret of Us Deluxe Tour. In a time of political division and conflict, Gracie Abrams reminds us how valuable honesty and emotional vulnerability are (and also how fun it is to screlt the bridge of “That’s So True”).
