Lindsey Stirling Meets The Royal Albert Hall
There are artists you like, there are artists you love, and then there are those artists who are so intrinsically woven into the fabric of your day-to-day life that you feel a personal sense of gratitude toward them. For more than ten years, Lindsey Stirling has unknowingly ridden life’s rollercoaster with me. She has been my go-to artist when I’ve felt unbridled joy, desperate sorrow, crippling anxiety, or total serenity.
If there is an invisible, universal thread connecting all living things, Lindsey Stirling has tapped into it—not just with her musicality but with her extraordinary ability to create music that resonates at the deepest levels of the human subconscious.
For an artist who has openly struggled with imposter syndrome and anxiety, last Thursday’s performance amidst the splendour of one of the world’s most iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall, must have felt like the pinnacle of a journey that began on the audition stages of America’s Got Talent. Now, she fills arenas worldwide.
As the multi-award-winning, genre-bending artist stepped out onto the hallowed stage, a subtle, symbolic defiance of her past critics was apparent; audio played of the harsh criticism given by America’s Got Talent judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne—words that could have crushed someone with less resilience, and potentially denied the world a superstar. In a further nod to those early TV appearances, Lindsey wore the same outfit she had worn when her young dreams were shattered in such a public way.
That version of Lindsey is a world apart from the global artist standing before us now. As her bow moved across the violin strings for the first time, a collective breath was drawn from the packed crowd. The excitement was palpable, the atmosphere electric with anticipation on this All Hallows’ Eve. The giant curtain came alive with silhouettes of dancers wearing antler crowns, with Lindsey dodging, weaving, and ducking gracefully among them.
It was a spectacular start to an even more spectacular show, as the UK and Ireland finally celebrated the Duality tour in all its glory. The tour’s name comes from her latest album, which featured prominently in the setlist.
The impressive opening with “Eye of the Untold Her” wouldn’t be the only time we’d hear that track that evening. Over the years, Lindsey’s audiences have been treated to increasingly elaborate, meticulously choreographed shows that blend the atmosphere of a concert with the theatrics of a West End show and the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil. Tonight took all those elements and magnified them.
The curtain dropped, revealing a two-tier, steel cubed structure that served as the backdrop for most of the night. In the blink of an eye, Lindsey had made one of many costume changes. The stage filled with dancers as the show gathered momentum, delivering fan-favourites like “The Arena” and “Roundtable Revival” to a crowd transfixed by the extraordinary dexterity on display. Lindsey glided across the stage or bent into shapes that would make a contortionist wince, all while playing the violin with grace and beauty. The unique fusion of classical violin with dubstep beats, rock, and pop filled the cavernous room. Fans pumped their fists and cheered, and then, just like that, a wave of calm enveloped the arena.
“Serenity Found”, a piece that raises goosebumps and tugs at the coldest hearts, brought the crowd from raucous energy to pin-drop silence. It was one of the most beautiful, memorable moments I’ve ever experienced at a music event. Lindsey Stirling’s ability to stir so many emotions within a single performance is unparalleled, making this evening rich with unique moments.
“Eye of the Untold Her” returned as the audience became active participants in the show, raising their phone lights for an ice-white wave that crescendoed with the song.
I haven’t yet mentioned the parts of the show that make a Lindsey Stirling concert such a unique experience each time. She seems to bring new skills every time, whether it’s playing the violin with precision while hanging upside down from a hoop, a heart-stopping fall from a great height amidst velvet drapes, or a scene where glitter showered over her as she played while her dancers held a paper umbrella above her. The entire show was one of the most visually stunning and emotionally-charged nights I’ve ever witnessed. Few performers receive minute-long standing ovations mid-set, but Lindsey did, many times over.
Hearing “Shatter Me” and “Crystallize” live will stay with me forever. The latter brought tears to my eyes with its overwhelming emotion.
As the show approached its final act, the energy remained undimmed. The kaleidoscope of colour onstage reached new heights as Lindsey and her dancers performed “Untamed” and “Inner Gold”, a display of the empowering message that pervaded the entire show. The final song of the regular set, “Survive”, provided an anthem of resilience, born from Lindsey’s own emotional struggles, for those who might be facing similar challenges now.
As the night ended, we must also acknowledge Lindsey’s impeccable ensemble. Longtime drummer Drew Steen and keyboardist/guitarist Ryan Riveros, along with the team of flawless dancers—Selena Hamilton, Taylor Gagliano, Anika Kojma, Madeline Underwood, and Annelise Ritacca—made Lindsey shine even brighter. Take a bow, each of you; you were breathtaking.
As we stood to leave our elevated viewing spot, a movement caught my eye behind the stage. Suddenly, the Royal Albert Hall’s enormous organ thundered to life, prompting gasps across the room. The venue filled with smoke and crimson lighting, as a lone figure appeared on stage. The crowd erupted as we were treated to a surprise medley of “Phantom of the Opera”. Lindsey, in a crimson dress and mask, delivered a blistering encore that nearly set the air itself alight—a final surprise in a night already full of them, etching this performance into the venue’s folklore.
The ovation at the end was one of the most joyous, genuine outpourings of appreciation I’ve ever witnessed for an artist. This is a show that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you Lindsey Stirling.
Written and Photographed by Adie White
