LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: TAYLOR ACORN AT THE ELECTRIC BALLROOM, LONDON 19/09/25
In the heart of Camden in London, the Electric Ballroom transformed into a hub of pure, anthemic pop-punk music as Taylor Acorn took the stage for one night only. For Acorn, pop-punk isn’t just a genre, it’s the soundtrack that shaped her life. Channeling the raw spirit of the late ’90s and early 2000s, she has carved out a sound that feels both nostalgic and brand new. With her fearless mix of pop-punk, alt, and rock, Taylor Acorn is proving that emo was never just a phase, it’s a lifeline she’s carrying forward for a new generation of fans who feel as deeply as she does.
The night began with East Exchange, an emerging band from Liverpool whose raw energy and gritty vocals had the crowd nodding along in unison. Pulling from classic rock, funk, and indie influences, the quartet delivered a set that felt both nostalgic and fresh, very in tune with the headliner’s intentions.
Taylor Acorn emerged on stage from the shadows moments later and opened up with ‘Hell of a Show’, a fitting preview of the electrifying live performance that was about to unfold. ‘Applause’ came next, followed by ‘Goodbye, Good Riddance’ which prompted a massive singalong as the crowd’s energy instantly surged.
‘‘Seeing how many of you out there took my breath away’’ confessed Acorn, visibly moved. ‘‘I am so thankful to be able to do this and to come across the world to see you’’. It was a moment of pure gratitude as she paused to take in the sight of a packed audience before introducing the next song ‘Coma’, a clear fan favourite judging by the deafening singalong that followed. ‘Final Nail’ was performed next, followed by ‘Hangman’ with the Nashville-based pop-punk singer providing rhythm support on her red acoustic guitar.
‘‘I almost quit making music’’ she admitted, ‘‘thank you guys so much again for being here’’ before introducing the emotional next song ‘Birds Still Sing’. It was a raw and vulnerable moment, Acorn visibly tearful, yet overwhelmingly grateful, capturing the kind of honesty and intimacy that made the performance so powerful. After nearly a decade as an independent artist, Acorn officially signed to Fearless Records last July, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career. Unapologetic and empowered, she steps into this new era with confidence and clarity, and the performance tonight - her biggest UK headline show yet - is a testament of that.
While Acorn’s faultless vocals and on-stage charisma never wavered, it was the bond with her fans that truly defined the night. Smiling, laughing, and engaging with the crowd at every turn, she radiated a sense of genuine connection that filled the room. Over the years, Acorn has cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase, and tonight that love came full circle. ‘‘This is always gonna be a safe space, no matter what’s going on in the world’’ said Acorn, a heartfelt reminder of the mutual trust and community she continues to build through her music.
Just a few songs later, the set took a heartwarming turn as Acorn’s crew surprised her onstage with a birthday cake to celebrate her upcoming birthday this weekend. The crowd cheered her on in a sweet, intimate moment of celebration - before the energy skyrocketed again as she launched into the live debut of her brand-new single ‘crashing out,’ released that very same day. The audience erupted, turning the fresh track into an instant anthem.
The rest of the set maintained the same high-octane energy. ‘Burning House’ highlighted Acorn’s impressive vocal range, while the older track ‘Greener’ sparked another massive singalong. ‘Reminisce’ kept the momentum soaring, and the 2022 anthem ‘Shapeshifting’ ignited the crowd, with fans shouting the lyrics from every corner of the room.
‘Psycho’ closed the main set with relentless energy before Acorn thanked the audience and exited the stage amidst deafening applause. For an encore, she returned to perform the energetic ‘Survival in Motion,’ sending the crowd home on an exhilarating high.
Ultimately Taylor Acorn delivered about 60 minutes of endorphin boosts to the Electric Ballroom, combining high energy, magnetic charisma, and a genuine connection with her fans, cementing her status as one of the genre’s most exciting rising voices. From the deafening fan singalongs to the heartfelt moments of vulnerability, the set felt like both a celebration of how far she’s come and a promise of where she’s headed next.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon.
Full setlist below:
Hell of a Show
Applause
Goodbye, Good Riddance
I Think I’m In Love
Coma
Final Nail
Hangman
Birds Still Sing
crashing out
Burning House
Greener
Reminisce
Shapeshifting
Psycho
Survival In Motion
