Shannon Saunders has come a long way from recording covers in her bedroom. At the age of 14 she started a YouTube channel posting covers of songs by many artists, as well as her own originals. In response to her angelic voice she gained subscribers rapidly and was approached to enter the 2010 Disney Channel UK talent contest. After winning she went on to record the official theme hit to Disney’s Tangled. Since then she has toured with Lewis Watson and Lucy Spraggan and this date sees her perform at her first headline show, and it’s sold out.
Wolf whistles galore livened up the venue, as dazzling Shannon Saunders took to the stage: her presence immediately captivating and her banter ingenious. The music started and the room fell silent, 200 glistening eyes stared up as Shannon warbled ethereal notes. This stunned silence didn’t last for long as Shannon cracked a joke; shouting out to people with foot fetishes suggesting they watch her video for single ‘Heart of Blue’, in which she walks through Oxford Street barefoot. This video, which she proudly boasts only cost her £9 to make, has had over 500,000 views since its release in 2013.
The purple-haired mermaid revealed songs that she had been secretly hiding from us. Familiar with her acoustic sound, it was a delightful shock to welcome her set of electric guitars and synthy beats laced with infectious lyrics. Undoubtedly the highlight of the set was the feel good dance number ‘Sheets’, which has an explosive chorus that hasn’t left my head since hearing it. Expecting to see tears masking the audience’s faces, Shannon cleverly entwined a contagious melody so the crowd were dancing energetically instead. She snuck in a groovy medley of Frank Ocean’s ‘Swim Deep’ and her own song ‘Silly Little Things’ and then belted out ‘Heart of Blue’, which most definitely wore out the audience’s vocals.
Shannon followed by slowing down the tempo of the set and played more familiar songs such as ‘Creatures’ announcing, “This song is about sex!” as her dad awkwardly smiled behind the merch bench. She told us we were all mad paying to see her perform, and as a reward she’d play us a sexy song that reminded her of 50 Shades of Grey. At this point she took a moment to reassure the crowd that it was a quality book and she’s sure her Nan has read it too.
The turnout was impressive and Shannon was rightfully overwhelmed during her last song ‘Atlas’ as hundreds of voices echoed her lyrics back to her. She gave a little laugh during the second verse, but it sounded more like a joyful cry, as she forgot the words to the song. Friends Jack & Finn Harries and Lucy Spraggan turned up to support Shannon at her first headline show, beaming with pride throughout. You could truly see how grateful Shannon Saunders was as she stayed behind to meet every single person at the venue. Due to the high demand for tickets to her headline show, it’s obvious that this will be the first of many. It’s nice to see her sound mature from the dainty 14 year old uploading YouTube videos, to this blossoming 19 year old playing her own sold out show.
Fran Welch
Latest posts by Fran Welch (see all)
- INTERVIEW: Jack Garratt - July 22, 2015
- LIVE: Barn On The Farm, Over Farm, Gloucester 03-06.07.15 - July 10, 2015
- Chet Faker LIVE @ The Coronet, London 20.11.14 - November 26, 2014
