Live Review: H.E.R.

Punters escaped the Vivid crowds inside Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre and awaited the arrival of mysterious soul and R&B singer Gabi Wilson, better known as H.E.R.. Facing the stage's back wall and with the help of smoke machines and hazy lights, the Californian artist appeared silhouetted on stage, resembling the cover art from her EPs H.E.R., Volume 1 and 2. 

Opening with Say It Again and Losing, it was instantly apparent just how incredible Wilson's vocals are. A tight band supported her vocal gymnastics as she wowed the crowd. She introduced her debut Sydney show by announcing, "I'm at the Sydney Opera House tonight, this is crazy," still remaining slightly elusive behind dark shades.

The multi-instrumentalist further demonstrated her musicality, jumping between a drum sampler pad on 2 and keys on Wait For It, both tracks enriched with dreamy vocal harmonies. Her two back-up singers need to be given major props, they had fantastic stage presence and delivered flawless vocals throughout the show.

The highlight of the night came in the form of Daniel Caesar collaboration Best Part. She talked about writing the song with Caesar, with just their guitars, before picking up her guitar and delivering a goose bump-evoking performance of the soulful track.

Wilson then treated the audience to an unreleased song that fans can look forward to hearing on her next album, excelling with the stripped-back, acoustic format of this track before picking up a Telecaster for a cover of Foy Vance song Make It Rain. It can't be stressed enough just how insanely talented this 20-year-old musician is. She delivered insane vocals while shredding on the guitar during U, before captivating everyone in the audience with an emotional rendition of Focus.

She performed a short cover of Kendrick Lamar's LOVE., pointing the mic at the audience for a singalong, but it turned out no one knew the words. Wilson shrugged off this brief awkward moment with, "You don't know the words? Me either".

Wilson, who's identity up until recently has remained unknown, surprisingly connected with her fans, inviting a group of them up on stage to dance with her during Let Me In, before her audience created a light spectacle of their own, illuminating the room with their phone torches during the sultry Lights On.

She humbly ended a showcase of pure talent and lush modern soul, further winning over those in the room with, "Sydney is definitely one of my favourite places, I'm just blessed that I get to do this".