Mahalia Shakes Off the Nerves as ‘IRL’ Tour Commences at Leeds O2 Academy [Photos]

When Leicestershire-born Mahalia burst onto the scene back in 2019 with the release of her debut album, Love and Compromise, big things were expected of the newcomer. Well, without wanting to rehash yesterday’s news, a lot has happened in those two years for everyone, but, as the opening night of the ‘IRL’ UK tour arrives in Leeds, Mahalia’s fans are back out in force.

Admitting her nerves early on in the set, the big grin plastered across her face certainly hides those nerves well. Strutting about the stage, the singer is full of swagger as the likes of “Cheat” and, one of her own personal favourites, “In My Bag,” are delivered with the kind of confidence that contradicts the fact that this is the first night of the tour.

Joking that she likes “to talk a lot,” the singer is full of entertaining stories about moving to London, fake love and relationships, while the likes of “Plastic Plants,” “Lose Lose,” and “Letter To Your Ex” really click with this crowd who illuminate the room with a sea of phone lights.

While Mahalia may have been full of nerves ahead of showtime on this opening night, by the time the singer had hit her stride just a few songs in, she repays the loyalty these fans had shown in her, and you just know that in just a few short dates, this rising star of the UK music scene will be unstoppable.

Mahalia @ O2 Academy (Leeds, UK) on October 8th, 2023

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