It’s a Wednesday evening in Soho. The sun is shining, but the heat is mercifully mild. England’s first knockout match has just kicked off, and I’m heading to THERA’s Summer Sounds showcase - an exclusive evening of live music, cocktails, canapés and a meet-and-greet with the rising Czech pop star, hosted on the picturesque rooftop terrace of The Century Club.
Following a tense first half of the football, screened before THERA’s performance, England secured victory, setting the tone for an evening filled with celebration and lively conversation as journalists, industry guests and fans revelled in the result. After enjoying a delicious selection of canapés, attention turned to the evening’s main event. Emerging in a striking red gown and her signature, flowing dark-brown hair, THERA immediately commanded the room with confidence and poise, warmly thanking everyone for joining her.
Having spent much of this year supporting Jason Derulo on a major European arena tour - from London’s O2 Arena to a landmark hometown show in Prague - Thera’s stage presence already feels remarkably seasoned. Stripping back the dark-pop production of her recordings in favour of intimate piano arrangements, her heartfelt songwriting and commanding vocals became the focal point, creating a performance that felt both deeply personal and undeniably captivating.
Remarkably, THERA has only just turned 19, even completing her school exams after returning from tour. Yet her maturity as both a performer and songwriter far exceeds her years. With 11 millions streams to her name, an iTunes-charting debut album ‘I Wish I Called’ under her belt and recognition as the first Czech ambassador for the Global EQUAL by Spotify campaign, she's already making a significant impact, and this showcase offered an early glimpse at her forthcoming EP, everywhere, all at once, due for release later this month.
She opened with recent single ‘do you see?’ a brooding slice of dark-pop that pairs euphoric production with lyrics exploring the pressure of expectations and the pursuit of perfection. Performed with only piano accompaniment, the emotional weight of the song became even more apparent, allowing her smoky, expressive vocals to shine while balancing vulnerability with quiet confidence.
Next came the hauntingly beautiful ‘rain,’ further demonstrating the depth of her songwriting and emotional honesty, introducing a melancholic edge. Before the final preview track, ‘rewind,’ THERA joked that it is usually one of the most energetic moments in her live set - yet this gentler version was just as gripping.
As the lead track from everywhere, all at once, the song holds particular significance. The EP features live recordings captured throughout her European tour, preserving the atmosphere of each performance, with rewind recorded during her milestone hometown arena show in Prague in front of thousands of fans, alongside friends and family.
Although the live preview came to an end, THERA left the audience with one final surprise: an unreleased song that hinted at an exciting new direction. Leaning further into dance-pop while retaining her signature emotional lyricism, the track immediately grabbed the room's attention with its infectious chorus and undeniable anthem potential. For now, its title remains known only to those fortunate enough to witness this intimate performance, but it already feels destined for much bigger stages.
If this showcase proved anything, it's that THERA is simply one of Europe's most exciting young pop talents. With arena experience already under her belt, an impressive catalogue behind her and a bold new chapter just around the corner, it feels only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches up. It was a privilege to witness this moment so close to the beginning of what promises to be a breakout career.
Instagram I
Website I
YouTube I
TikTok I
Spotify
