When Brooklyn Fell Under Olivia Dean's Spell

London charm takes over an iconic Williamsburg music venue.

photo: @cristigtzname

If you're not a fan of Olivia Dean yet, then go see her live, and we'll talk after. Born and raised in London, Olivia Dean has already made a name for herself with her unique fusion of pop, soul, and R&B. Her music has the quality of being both haunting and soulful, while creating the same warm feeling one experiences when falling in love. Her lyrics are introspective and insightful, yet easily accessible and easy to connect to for everyone in the room. Some of Olivia's most popular songs include "The Hardest Part" which features Leon Bridges, "Ok Love You Bye", and "What Are We Waiting For?" Her music has racked up millions of streams, and she has also performed on television channels such as CBS.

Aside from her wondrous hit "Ok Love You Bye" and her collaboration with Leon Bridges, "The Hardest Part," I wasn't too familiar with Olivia's body of work. But that has definitely changed since her two sold-out shows at Brooklyn Made. To experience the sultry magic of Olivia Dean live is to fall under a spell. Every note pulls you deeper into a state of euphoria, where the stress and anxiety of the outside world seem to melt. The crowd becomes so at ease to the point that a gentle bump between strangers is turned into a synced choreo.

In between songs we get personal snippets, which create the effect that Olivia is not a famous singer, but a friend. She approaches these brief stories with such candidness that it's impossible to not be moved by them. My personal favorite is the one behind her song, "Carmen," which was inspired by her grandmother. With Olivia's family in the crowd, it's clear that the inspiration still holds the same emotional power as it did when she wrote the song.

Before she stepped on stage, Olivia, all smiles, welcomed us backstage to snap a few photos to capture this special moment.

Photos lensed by Cristi Name.

photo: @cristigtzname

photo: @cristigtzname

photo: @cristigtzname

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