LIVE REVIEW: No One Loves Harder Than A Teenage Fangirl at 'The Secret of Us Tour'

Photo Supplied by Frontier Touring. Taken by Abby Waisler

No one loves harder than a teenage fangirl. It’s the first of 'Gracie Abrams’ two sold out shows at Meanjin’s Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and the energy is electric. Adorning pastel yellow bows and their flowiest skirts, only a girly pop crowd could bring this much fizziness to a random Tuesday night. 

Pop shows like this are always filled with little traditions. An unofficial, yet unmistakable aesthetic. Coordinated chants. A front row decorated with crafts, gifts and flags. You can also expect singalongs to the carefully curated pre-show playlist. This time, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter were the loudest. All the while, most eager among us had their ears pricked for that song - the one that signifies show time. 

For opening act Ashe, that track is ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA. 

There is no denying it - Ashe has a timeless star quality. The crowd cheered expectantly as a flurry of spotlights coordinated with her glittering rainbow jumpsuit. Barefoot and beaming, she matched her heart-on-sleeve performance with a glowing smile, delivering a nearly flawless opening set.

The setlist showcased the best of her unique blend of pop, folk and country, flowing seamlessly through instrumental transitions and dynamic arrangements. The Californian songwriter showcased her vocal prowess with ease, even navigating a brief tech issue with such calm composure it almost felt intentional.

Beyond her undeniable ability, I have never seen an artist win over an audience so effortlessly. From the moment her set opener—‘Running Out of Time’ from her latest album 'Willson'—launched her gliding up and down the stage, she greeted the crowd with excitement and presence. This energy was mirrored back to her tenfold. Authenticity overflowed from her like the sun. She reflected the crowd’s girlish glee while exuding a confidence and spark that, as a teenager, I would’ve idolised.

Nearing the end of her set, she played a surprise acoustic song - a fans request who she thanked by name - followed by a cover of everyone's favourite pop iconic Taylor Swift's track ‘loml’. These gestures sealed the bond she had created with an arena full of newly devoted fans.

Now, I mentioned that carefully curated pre-show music. Again, building upon the community feeling of girlhood, we heard the silky tones of Ariana Grande float across the speakers, “Me and my truth we sit in silen——“ 

The lights dropped, and the moody prologue began. A wash of blue light superimposed a film sequence on the screen above the band as they played a suspenseful arrangement of electric guitar, synth and cymbal swells. When she appeared on the platform above them, she was still obscured by the screens, playing a sparkly, VCR-style edit. A part of me was hoping for a more dramatic reveal - but in hindsight, it was the perfect way to open the ‘The Secret Of Us’ show. 

Gracie Abrams carries a certain mystery. A duality. She has the ability to move between brooding introspection to something almost theatrical. Slowly, slowly—then all at once. Much like her own journey: a creative wallflower stepping into the spotlight. The show flowed this way and before long, we were warmly greeted by a very giddy Gracie—like long-distance best friends reuniting

“I feel so lucky just to be in the same room as you all, finally…We feel so held by you when we’re together,” she doted to cheering fans.

The songstress’ ability to deeply connect is in part, the secret magic of Gracie Abrams. She was just as excited as her fans - undeniably present and memorising every detail as she drifted across the stage, mouthing “hellos” and “thank yous”. She took videos on fan’s phones, collected their gifts and gushed over their creative prowess. She remembered individuals from past tours and even learned their names. After a walk through the audience during ‘Tough Love,’ she invited us into a touching re-creation of her childhood bedroom—the sentimental space where she began her career in 2020 and wrote most of her music. This acoustic section was commemorated with Polaroids of the crowd, throwback songs, and pure adoration.

Some people find “fangirl excitement” overwhelming or frustrating, but I see it as something sacred. We too often reach for the dimmer on our own joy—or that of others—despite its beauty. Artists like Gracie Abrams create a safe space for these emotions which in itself is priceless.

None of this, of course, would have the same impact without her songwriting. Abrams writes music like the scribbled, crumpled pages of your diary – like unfiltered confessions you only tell your closest friends. It is girlhood and heartbreak and hope and frustration and everything you wish you could express without feeling embarrassed or judged. 

Sonically, the live show broke open the acoustic-leaning pop songs into grand, expressive arrangements. Lifted by a punchy rhythm section and heart-swelling instrumentation, you could almost forget these songs were written in whispered midnight voice memos. I was especially struck by the clarity of Gracie’s naturally delicate vocal, even amid the show’s heightened scale.

If Taylor Swift is the queen of writing bridges (she is), Gracie Abrams is the princess. ‘Risk’, ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry’ and ‘That’s So True’ turned singalongs into full-blown screams.These viral sensation hits are a testament to her songwriting as they translate commonly stifled emotions into a captivating work of art. Catharsis has never been so loud.

I will say, with all of this passionate expression, there was a surprising number of fans fainting. Not an ideal situation, of course, although I admired how the surrounding audience and Abrams herself alerted security to help those in need. It was yet another affirmation of this caring community.

My only true critique was the lack of local talent. It feels like a missed opportunity not to share such an inspiring night of girlhood with amazing Australian artists as well. I could easily see Gracie Abrams fans adoring the likes of Lyric, who produces relatable girly pop and is just as much a fangirl as anyone, or Siena Larsson, whose single ‘Convenient’ carries a kindred catharsis to Abrams’ catalogue. Including a local opening act would have further built the sense of community and discovery for audiences, while meaningfully supporting emerging artists.

'The Secret Of Us Tour' was proof of what I already felt to be true: no one loves harder than a teenage fangirl. And honestly, no one deserves that love more than a former teenage fangirl.