It’s been a minute since Rachel Chinourilli last performed a headline show locally, and she made that point on stage at Shoreditch Town Hall on Wednesday night (June 3). “I realized I hadn’t played a show in London for over a year, and I was worried that no one would come tonight,” she said with a laugh, acknowledging her absence. “Thank you so much for all you do and for reminding me that you guys are so special.”
The 2026 SXSW London music show gave the British star a moment to reunite with Darling (as he was affectionately given by his fans) after two busy and overbooked years. However, Chinouriri is not a musician who can be easily forgotten.
Following the release of her acclaimed debut, What a Devastating Turn of Events, in 2024, Chinurilli established herself as one of Britain’s preeminent young songwriters, rubbing shoulders with musical peers such as CMAT and Holly Humberstone. A stunning collection of emotional indie pieces packed with smart hooks, the LP soared in live settings, whether during her own headline tour through the UK and US or high-profile support gigs with superstars such as Florence and the Machine and Sabrina Carpenter. The Croydon-raised artist will continue his strong record by joining Gracie Abrams as a support act on her upcoming arena outing. The upcoming new music will only enhance her reputation.
But for now, it’s about renewing the 27-year-old’s connection with her fans, and her performance was both a triumphant return to performing in the nation’s capital and a testament to the musical diversity and strength of SXSW’s music program. These were the best moments of the show.
His stage presence was unparalleled.
From the moment Chinoouriri started singing the opening song “Garden of Eden,” her stage presence was undeniable. Treating the intimate setting of Shoreditch Town Hall like an arena or stadium (places she’s accustomed to), she showed off her rock star-like mic stand movements, while industry fans were positioned on either side of the stage for optimal hairography. Chinouriri is a performer who enjoys the stage. When she took the time to observe the crowd, their enthusiasm was outweighed only by her own joy.
new era road
On this night, they gave fans a special treat in the form of an unreleased song “AAAHHH!!!” First appearing on the setlist when Rachel supported Florence and the Machine on tour earlier this year, “AAAHHH!!!” has been sneaking into her performances over the past few months. Boasting elements of new wave and jangly alternative pop, the song brings new influences to Chinouriri’s music and brings to mind bands like The Cure. Cinolli was too eager to tease new songs. “I was in LA for three months this year,” she told the crowd about her second LP. “I was worried about forgetting the lyrics, but I had been writing a lot, so…” he teased.
A love letter to her fans
“To everyone in this room, I love you all,” Chinouriri told the audience before “So My Darling,” one of her breakthrough hits. The song has been with her for over a decade, transforming into a tender celebration of her fans and their journey. “To make something like this [show] I will always be grateful to be able to spend this evening with you, whether it’s one person or five of us. Because when I was 17 years old, I was writing this song wondering where it would take me. And I never expected this song to take me here. ”
hero’s energy
There are some lines in the live show that become meme-like moments, with the audience waiting to yell back certain lyrics. During Laufey’s “From the Start,” he yelled, “Useless!” During Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” What’s the latest addition to that list? Chinouriri’s “Can We Talk About Isaac?” drew cheers of “He’s too perfect, God, I hate him.”
perfect finale
Following a short, sweet intro to “All I Ever Asked” (“It’s kind of roundabout, but to sum it up: remove the hinge, it’s awful!”), Rachel launches into the penultimate song. A powerful single, made even better by the audience singing back the “Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo” riff, it was followed by “Never Need Me,” a driving indie song that demands full concentration.
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