Picture it: London England, 9:00 pm, the Eventim Apollo. Not an empty seat in sight, and a standing room packed to the brim. The lights dim, the energy in the room is palpable as the chorus of the song “Carrie” by the popular 80's rock band Europe begins to play. Lexi Lynn, Sophie Potrykus, Cam Locke, and Nicholas Veinoglou take to the stage and their respective instruments. The anticipation elevates as the band begins to play along to the track. But who is it that we are all waiting for—FLETCHER, that's who. Rounding up the UK leg of her In Search of the Antidote tour.
Eyes continuously wander to multiple elevated stages as the anticipation rises. Where will she emerge? The chords of “Maybe I Am”, the first track off the sophomore album, begins to play and Cari FLETCHER appears on the highest stage with a mic in hand, a contagious energy, and strong powerful vocals to begin the night. The crowd erupts with cheers of joy, voices singing along with FLETCHER as she takes the lead. Dressed in a black vest, pinstripe pants, black boots, and a necktie she plays the next few tracks on the upper stage before she makes her way down to the center.
With a smile from ear to ear she welcomes the crowd and her family, who are front and center in the Mezzanine, to her biggest headline show to date. Having released this album as a part of her own search for the antidote during a time of health struggles, this makes the moment that much more special for her and everyone here. The album is about love and takes a look inside at the ways she wasn't honoring herself— physically and emotionally giving a voice to all those feelings. FLETCHER lays down a few house rules to get the night started. "Leave whatever it is you're going through at the door, feel your feelings, be your authentic self and scream-sing these lyrics with me, London!". She intertwines songs from her new album with songs from previous bodies of work. Songs include “Ego Talking”, “Shh, Don't say It”, “All Love”, “Crush”, and “Serial Heartbreaker”. Songs with new arrangements and others stripped down to an acoustic version keeps the setlist interesting and unexpected. A fan favorite is undoubtedly the rock version of her popular hit single “Undrunk”. The crowd gets super-hyped during the chorus and starts a small fun mosh pit.
There is one thing that I have come to observe watching FLETCHER’s show: She makes you feel seen. She constantly scans the crowd and makes eye contact with as many fans as she can. Taking in and savoring every moment from those in the front of the stage to those in the back and up above. The way she locks eyes with her parents, brother, and best friend as she sings her song “Attached To You” is something you can’t help but notice, as it is a testament to the love she has for them.
The talented band members that accompany FLETCHER on stage are also not unnoticed. Nick and Lexi take the leads on electric and acoustic guitars, showing off their talents with their sick licks and solos. Sophie holds down the baseline, while Cam on drums keeps the beat going all night. FLETCHER works her way around the stage non-stop and ends up in the mezzanine section of the arena for her song “Doing Better”. She rounds out the night with her undoubtedly most notable song, “Becky's So Hot”. It is the song she sang alongside Miley Cyrus to ring in the 2023 New Year; Kelly Clarkson covered it on her talk show and it may have been the song to stop TikTok in its tracks. The show is an absolute joyride and the energy left in the arena will be palpable for days. But even better are the memories, new friendships, and experiences that will last a lifetime.
FLETCHER will be continuing her In Search of The Antidote Tour in New Zealand and Australia in July, and will then bring the Antidote to the states in September and part of October.
*Photographs taken from audience