Amber Liu, an American singer, rapper, and songwriter, took the stage at London’s O2 Academy Islington and showed that she is a force to be reckoned with. From her roots in the highly successful K-pop group f(x), where she debuted in 2009, to her solo journey, Amber has consistently displayed her unique style, and she truly showcased all of her charm and talent during her 2024 No More Sad Song World Tour. 

As the live band set the stage, Amber made an entrance with her distinctive blueish hair, comfortable attire, and a smile on her face. She opened with the track Easier from her 2022 EP Z! – Amber’s live singing skills immediately caught my attention, displaying her ability to deliver a stellar performance. The EP Z! concluded the trilogy initiated with X in 2020 and followed by y? in early 2021. While X signified a transition to the new and y? delved into Amber’s inner conflicts, Z! served as a definitive conclusion, which also boldly presented Amber’s hard work to embrace herself as “Amber”, even as she continues the ongoing process of self-discovery. Songs like Stay Calm and Hand Behind My Back provided a platform for the singer to present not only her charming stage presence but also her skills to portray complex emotions of isolation and frustration through her music.

Dusk till Dawn revealed a soulful side of Amber. It’s undeniable that she is a good performer. Even if she were to perform with just a microphone and no musical accompaniment, her vocals would be equally impressive. During a break (MENT), she voiced her appreciation with a touch of humour, showing her delightful and sweet personality. In a light-hearted manner, she acknowledged that this was her first solo show in London and emphasised her aim in creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone in the audience. It is worth mentioning that Amber actively advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, using her rostrum to raise awareness and express solidarity with the community – a personal aspect of her that I find close to my heart.

The carefully selected setlist featured a mix of hits like Curiosity, Neon, ILY, and Make It Better, alongside unreleased gems like Taste of You, Lasertag, and Be the One. This not only presented Amber’s songwriting skills but also showed her raw honesty when it comes to her lyrics. Hits like Numb, Blue, Can’t Go Yet, and her latest release, No More Sad Songs, stirred deep emotions within my heart, especially when she sang lines, “Yeah, I know that you’re hurt and you’re broken / And your heart’s sunken deep in an ocean / See the fire inside you is burning out / Try to trust ’cause you know I’ve been there before”. In that moment, my mind dived into introspection, letting me connect with Amber’s own feelings. 

Other People brought a poppy sound to the stage, allowing the audience to groove while Amber conveyed internal struggles through poignant lyrics. Close moments with her guitar player, Sam, added a soothing touch to the performance as well. Concluding her show with Shake That Brass, one of her initial solo hits from 2015, and Paradise, Amber demonstrated she is a well-rounded entertainer, and as someone who had the pleasure of witnessing Amber’s performance, I must say I truly enjoyed her show.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}