Charli XCX, Shepherd's Bush Empire

Even if you’ve never heard of Charli XCX, you’ve definitely heard her voice. The 2012 smash hit ‘I Love It,’ from Swedish synth-poppers Icona Pop, was largely her work, and Iggy Azalea’s US chart topping ‘Fancy’ heavily features her vocals.
Aged a mere 22, Charli has already carved a name for herself as one of pop music’s most exciting songwriters. Now, with her second commercially released record Sucker (2014) on its way, it’s time for Charli herself to stand at the forefront. Embarking on a headline tour of North America and Europe in support of the new record, she’s stopping over at the 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire for what promises to be a night of relentless hooks and non-stop dancing.
Born in Cambridge, Charli was born with a form of synesthesia that allows her to see music in different colours. Such a chromatic understanding of sound has contributed to her unique songwriting style, which strives to create particular atmospheres while never deviating from the path of catchiness and emotive power. The unreleased 14 (2008), recorded after her parents agreed to loan her the money, capitalised on her growing reputation as a live performer in illegal warehouse raves. After little manifested, she returned to school and only re-emerged in 2011 with the single ‘Stay Away.’ Sweepingly powerful, it was an instant favourite amongst pop and indie blogs alike, although failed to make much of a dent commercially. Subsequent tracks ‘Nuclear Seasons’ and ‘You’re the One’ continued her critically-adored streak, culminating in 2013’s fantastic True Romance. A rare album in which every single track could be a world-beating single, it remained a minority interest.
Yet slowly, everything changed. Spritely single ‘SuperLove’ managed to chart, and Charli attracted the attention of Iggy Azalea. After they co-wrote and performed ‘Fancy’, Charli almost overnight became internationally known. ‘Boom Clap’, the lead single from Sucker, charted at number six, over fifty places above ‘SuperLove.’ With a support slot for Katy Perry under her belt, Charli’s career looks set to be world-beating. And with such a strong songs and her distinct sense of style, who could -or would want- to resist her?