Having recorded her latest album Punisher in pre-pandemic times and with its release coming in June of 2020, Phoebe Bridgers’ rise from cult indie figure to one of the most raved about alternative voices within the music industry was never guaranteed. The inability to tour the record upon its release until now presented a risk that the hype of her universally acclaimed debut Strangers In The Alps could have easily dispersed and seen her struggle to reach the heights she first did in 2017.
But this current tour, her first in three years, feels like something of a victory lap for both her and the audience. They’ve waited a long time to experience this and they’re not shy about showing it as we get an unexpected early indication of how beloved Bridgers is as she subtly takes to the stage to introduce tonight's support act Sloppy Jane to uncontrollable screams and cheers.
Two sold out shows at the prestigious O2 Apollo in Manchester is no small feat, one that she will eclipse next week by playing to nearly 20,000 people over four nights at London’s Brixton Academy. Add to that slots at both Glastonbury and Latitude Festival this year and we’re left wondering if she's not already found herself to be an arena sized act.
