Madison Beer review: ‘A superbly executed three-act concert production’

After releasing her third studio album 'Locket' – a record that was arguably her most ambitious and personal album to date – to critical and commercial success, Madison Beer has earned the right to be ambitious with her tours, and that ambition has paid dividends. The Co-op Live was filled with 20,000+ fans, but even in large-scale settings, Beer has the natural ability to make what is the biggest indoor venue in Europe feel up close and personal.

There’s a refreshing candour to Beer as a performer. She’s one of the most genuine and authentic performers of her generation – so much so that on her ‘Spinnin’ Tour in 2024, she started a mid-show discussion with a fan who casually complimented her and asked what shampoo she’d been using midway through her performance at the O2 Academy, Leeds.

While there were no shampoo-related discussions in Manchester’s state-of-the-art arena, Beer frequently engaged in conversation with the fans. Even in such a large-scale setting, Beer was able to make the venue feel intimate, sparking a mid-set discussion about the surprise song in the evening, expressing shock that ‘Dead’ was an option before an impromptu a cappella rendition of the track sparked a mass singalong, to her genuine surprise.

Beer casually chatted to a lucky fan who was given the honour of selecting the surprise song – 'Default' was the winner, and the result was a thing of beauty. Beer’s vocals were delicate, soft and restrained, yet they soared throughout the venue without needing a full-blown belt. To further add to the up-close and intimate nature of the performance, the 27-year-old left the stage for a barrier walk for ‘Lovergirl’, greeting fans at the barrier, pausing for selfies, chatting and even signing an autograph; there’s a genuine appreciation and mutual respect between artist and fans alike, making the occasion even more memorable.

Equally, there was also a finely crafted, detailed, arena-suited production to complement Beer’s prowess as a performer. The staging was built around a meticulously crafted old-school carnival ride with a Tunnel of Love aesthetic, featuring a heart-shaped entrance on the right side of the stage, which served as the anchor to the ‘Locket’ theme. The old-fashioned balcony positioned on the left side helped create a vintage and nostalgic touch.

While a series of video interludes ranging from a POV trip into an amusement park to open the first act, a package that saw Beer decorate a smaller theme park in the form of an art project around the theme of love and a third package that saw the 27-year-old conduct surgery on what resembled a medical board game whilst Radiohead’s ‘Just’ played further adding to the polished, cinematic production.

From an opening fuelled by high-energy, polished pop tracks such as ‘Yes Baby’, ‘Boyshit’ and ‘15 Minutes’ and tight choreography, which Beer regularly participated in and only added to the electricity inside the Co-op Live before seamlessly transitioning into the emotional intimacy of act two.

‘Reckless’ was soul-stirring, a dreamy ‘Healthy Habit’ with visuals of clouds and stars added to the intimate and emotional atmosphere inside the Co-op Live; ‘Spinnin’ was a stand-out moment that left everyone singing, and a stripped-back ‘Envy The Leaves’ with Beer sitting down on the catwalk left everyone mesmerised. For the majority of act two, there was little choreography, no overly elaborate video packages or pyrotechnics; it was merely Beer wowing everyone with her masterful musicianship and her powerful yet restrained vocal deliveries, showcasing an emotional resonance that connects deeply with the audience.

As the confetti rained down after a rendition of ‘Bittersweet’ in the encore, the European and UK leg reached its conclusion; 20,000+ exited the venue knowing they’d witnessed a performance from an artist who is the complete package and one who is destined to achieve even more success in the not-too-distant future.