Casey McQuillen

Few artists balance charm and polish on stage quite like singer-songwriter Casey McQuillen. First introduced to audiences on American Idol, she has since built a career that spans performances for over half a million fans while opening for artists such as Anastacia, alongside a steadily expanding catalog of pop-rock tracks. Now, she embarks on her most ambitious headline run to date - ‘The Better Tour’ - a sweeping journey across the UK and Europe.

On a crisp September Saturday, I headed to the classic Earls Court venue The Troubadour - renowned for its rustic charm and historic role in the city’s vibrant live scene, once welcoming folk legends like Bob Dylan - to catch Casey on her London headline date. The intimate room was packed wall to wall, and a buzz of anticipation filled the air as we made our way to the front, eager to experience the show in all its glory.

Casey was an instant crowd-pleaser, flashing a dazzling smile as she shouted, “Are you ready, London?”, setting the excitable tone for the joy that followed. Radiating glamour and star power in a sequined black evening gown that shimmered under the cool blue stage lights, acoustic guitar in hand, she immediately took command of the room, marking the momentous occasion of her first sold-out headline show in the Big Smoke.

If you could summarise the set in three simple words, it would be: hit-after-hit. The euphoric ‘The One’ served as a bright, shining opener, full of captivating melodies as her powerful voice commanded the audience. Then came the equally radiant ‘Talk In My Head’ and ‘Hold Me,’ followed by her first official step into rockier territory with ‘Favourite.’ With its lyrical breakdown and chatty introduction, the performance carved out space for storytelling that was as interactive as it was candid. It felt like catching up with an old friend, complete with a magnetic soundtrack to match.

The first half mostly paid homage to her introduction into the world - her sublime debut album ‘Skinny’ - showcasing a more melancholic side with ‘Bourbon,’ a sultry, softer moment accompanied by gentle sliding guitar. Yet it wasn’t just her original songwriting that stood out: a soaring, emotive cover of Katy Perry’s 2000s hit ‘The One That Got Away’ got the crowd singing along enthusiastically, as she effortlessly joked about covering an ‘underground artist.’

Each of Casey’s songs wove a tapestry of emotions, each rooted in personal moments from her life. Her recent single, ‘Wedding Date,’ inspired by attending several weddings with an almost-lover, perfectly captured the bittersweet tension of a romance that never quite comes to fruition. ‘In And Out’ encouraged the audience to lift their phones into a sea of lights, and ‘Skinny’ - a heartfelt anthem on body image - continued to resonate with audience members as they swayed in unison.

Wrapping up the show was a bold, bombastic run of her electrifying 2025 singles - the funky musings of self-love hit ‘Better’ and finally - ‘Better Than This,’ the stand-out anthem of the set. Wrapped in pop-rock power and a reflection of moving across the pond to pursue her musical dreams, its towering chorus led the way, eventually erupting in a crowd-sing-along finale.

Unlike many artists, Casey radiated warmth and sincerity throughout her performance, even inviting her parents on stage for a moment as she shared the privilege of touring the world with them. From writing her first songs to recalling her days of only opening for others in venues of this size, the symbolism of the night was unmistakable - and we felt fortunate to share in such a memorable occasion.

Catch Casey McQuillen On The Remainder Of ‘The Better’ UK & Europe Tour.