Southampton’s rising star, Caity Baser, is introducing the world to her upcoming debut album on her Watch That Girl (She’s Gonna Sing It) Tour, where she unveils a more intimate side of her sound. Throughout the night, she delivers stripped-back previews of her unreleased music, guided solely by piano and acoustic simplicity.
Having only recently discovered her music – and never having seen Baser live before – I wasn’t sure what to expect. But as soon as I arrived at The Globe in Cardiff, I was met with an excitable queue of superfans that stretched to the end of the street. Despite the torrential rain, not even the weather could dampen their enthusiasm, especially when Baser herself came outside to greet them. She laughed and joked with the crowd, accepting a Welsh-themed shot glass from a fan and promising to drink from it during the show- a promise she later kept.
Inside the venue, instead of an opening act, voice memos from Baser’s family and close friends played over the speakers. One that stuck with me was her dad describing her, heart-warmingly, as “something special.” It was a touching, humble introduction- something I’d never experienced at a concert- and it set the tone for an emotional night.
The setlist wove seamlessly between unreleased album tracks and a few of her biggest hits, keeping the audience captivated through a blend of nostalgia and curiosity. My personal favourite was undoubtedly The Story of Her, a song inspired by a family member Baser admits she dislikes. Yet, through the track, she chooses to recognise what that person has endured to become who they are. It was a deeply personal piece, but Baser didn’t shy away from the vulnerability – smiling, giggling, and waving to fans throughout. When a fan in the front row broke into tears, Baser immediately called out to her, offering multiple hugs- a heart-warming gesture that left the audience in awe of her compassion.
Baser’s infectious energy grew stronger with every song. Twirling and jumping across the stage- even with her leg in a brace- it was clear that her passion couldn’t be contained. The loudest moment of the night came with X&Y, which electrified the room as Baser encouraged the crowd to chant along, fuelling the show’s fun and playful atmosphere.
The bond between Baser and her fans feels like a genuine sisterhood — unlike anything I’ve experienced at other concerts. That relationship was especially evident during her 2022 track Kiss You, when the crowd erupted in nostalgic excitement. Singing every word back to her as she danced across the stage created a magical moment. Hearing these familiar songs in such a raw format — just her voice and a piano — was a touching way to honour her fans while highlighting her undeniable talent. Honestly, after witnessing the full range of her vocals, I found myself hoping for an acoustic album in the near future.
Embracing the sisterhood dynamic, Baser shared that she’s recently fallen in love, leading into As I Am with giddy excitement. She described her new relationship while the audience hung on her every word. The track turned out to be her strongest vocal performance of the night, and her impressive high notes drew loud cheers from the crowd.
Toward the end of the hour-long show, Baser asked a fan named Lola, “What are you running from?” — a clever segue into her 2025 single Running From Myself. It was the perfect closing note to an intimate, emotional evening. Before singing the final track, Baser revealed that she wrote the upcoming album for her younger self, as a way to process and accept the trauma she’s experienced.
Words and photography by Ellie Evans.