Greta Isaac shines bright at OMEARA
The show featured special guest appearances from her FIZZ bandmates and her own alter ego, Dolly Zoom.
Photo: Karina Barberis
For her first performance since the release of her latest EP, Dolly Zoom, Greta Isaac graced the stage of OMEARA in London, delivering a stellar performance for friends and fans alike.
Kicking off the night was indie pop artist, Polly Money. While best known as a touring member of The 1975, Polly is also an extraordinarily talented artist in her own right. Fans were instantly on board for her performance, as was made clear by the overwhelming cheering you seldom hear for an opener. I myself was quickly won over by her groovy guitar melodies and beautiful voice. I was also blown away by how she leverages loop tracks to turn herself into a one-woman band. Water, a beautifully textured and summery track which felt like it teleported me from London to a beachy coastline, was a standout from her set.
Then came Greta, opening her set with catchy new track VILLAIN. Greta delivers every line with brazen confidence while drenched in red lights, setting a bold tone for the evening. And the crowd absolutely loved it. The show’s atmosphere was electric, it’s been a second since I’ve been to a gig with a crowd this lively. A testament to the energy Greta brings to performing with her magnetic stage presence. Just when I thought fans couldn’t get any more excited, then came PAYRI$E, an anthem track which had the audience chanting the pre-chorus like their lives depended on it. Credit is also due to her fantastic backing band who elevated every track to stratospheric heights.
The tone shifted for a heart-wrenching rendition of Way Too Much, which showcased Greta’s angelic vocals and culminated with a deeply moving climax. This was followed by Productive Pain, a stunning acoustic number which cuts straight to the heart. While Greta truly shines in the show’s more bombastic moments, her quieter and more reflective tracks shouldnt be overlooked. Her versatility is impressive as she stuns the audience with bangers and ballads alike.
Another highlight of the evening came when dodie and Orla Gartland — Greta’s bandmates from supergroup FIZZ — emerged from the packed crowd and joined her on stage for a knockout rendition of As Good As It Gets. It was impossible not to dance along. This, however, was not the only guest performance of the night.
After a quick costume change, Greta returned to the stage for an encore, fully inhabiting her brash and unapologetic hyper pop persona Dolly Zoom. The crowd went completely wild as she began performing the deliciously hedonistic MOVIE STAR.
As she herself asserts her star power, I can’t help but agree. While her abilities as a vocalist and songwriter are clear, what truly makes Greta a delight to see live is the sheer presence she brings to the stage. To end the night, Greta asks the crowd, “Are you ready to fuck shit up?” before launching into SOFT SCOOP TALKING DOG, a euphoric and fitting end to a memorable night.