The energy was contagious. Celebrity hairstylist and newly-minted New York Times bestselling author Chris Appleton—whose debut memoir Your Roots Don’t Define You was released earlier this month—was eager for Addison Rae to take the stage. “I think she’s been killing it,” Appleton, who was joined by his 21-year-old daughter Kitty-Blu, praised.
After gracing the red carpet, performers slipped backstage, gearing up to treat a full house to a selection of their biggest hits of the year. True to form, the Spotify event drew in a stacked guest list, including the likes of Zara Larsson, Tove Lo, Jesse Jo Stark, and Yungblud.
Meanwhile, in one room, partygoers fueled up on braised short ribs, Japanese teriyaki chicken, roasted potatoes, and couscous with vegetable ratatouille, while bartenders prepared speciality cocktails and mocktails like hibiscus margaritas, espresso martinis, and sparkling grapefruit coolers en masse.
Leon Thomas kicked off the string of performances, followed by Lola Young, who returned to the stage after a months-long break to focus on her health. The energy hit a fever pitch when Addison Rae peeked out from backstage. “Hi there!” she waved, taking to the mic in crystal-encrusted stiletto boots and a peplum white blazer. The TikTok star-turned-singer later ditched the jacket, dancing around in a glossy white bra.
Rounding out the show was Olivia Dean, who looked every inch the rising pop sensation in a sequined checker-print dress by 16Arlington—and her signature bouncy curls. With nearly every phone in the room raised to capture her every move, the British singer—a frontrunner for this year’s prize—performed fan-favorites including Nice to Each Other, So Easy (To Fall In Love), and Man I Need.
Though Dean wrapped up just before 11:30 p.m., the party was far from over. Droves of attendees streamed into rooms and outside, where a parade of late-night bites were on offer—think cheeseburgers from Heavy Handed, tacos courtesy of Tacos Por Vida, mini pizzas at a LaSorted stand, and sweet treats from the Churro Man booth.
If the Spotify Best New Artist bash was any indication, Sunday is destined to deliver no shortage of internet-breaking performances—and plenty of fun fashion to swoon over.
