From streaming her newest album with strangers who came to see her trapped in a glass box in New York, to selling out London venue Village Underground, Lexa Gates dazzled as she performed her new album for the first time.
All images taken backstage at Village Underground by @3stacks.s.
On 18 October 2024, Lexa Gates locked herself in a glass box with nothing but a couch, blankets and her newest album, ‘Elite Vessel,’ to keep her company for 10 hours straight. On 18 February 2025, the Queens-native resorted to much simpler tricks to captivate the adoring crowd at the sold-out Village Underground, as she kicked off the European leg of her new tour. The Shoreditch-based venue was the first stop on the tour and she wasted no time in proving just why she’s sold out all bar one of her European shows. With two space buns and her signature long-winged eyeliner, she opened the stage with a powerful performance of ‘Selfish.’
Lexa is an enigma. Her lyrics are beyond bold and brazen: “I love you so much, it makes me want to k*ll myself” but an example, and her delivery is simply one a kind. The confident ease in which she switches between rapping and singing on jazzy melodies is flawless. With such a versatility in her rhythms, it’s no wonder she’s drawn the most quintessentially London crowd I’ve seen at a venue in a long time. Every demographic that makes London, London is here and in every corner of this sold-out venue, someone is vibing out.
Despite the bodacious lyrics Lexa spits, which left the crowd going stupid when she performed ‘Stupid,’ Lexa’s small stature and somewhat shy demeanour act as a stark contrast. When she giggled into the mic, as tried not to trip on her long skirt, she coyly admitted that she couldn’t believe people even turned up, since this is the largest venue she is playing on tour. As if the applause that rings out in response might overwhelm her, Lexa quickly slips into the bluesy tune ‘I Just Can’t Be Alone,’ and I think this is the song of the night.
Her stage production is simple yet effective, as the light show works in tandem with her flow. A dark blue hue engulfs her as she navigates her deep, slick raps, and transitions into soft pinks as she deftly slides onto slower melodies. The longer she is onstage, the more confidence Lexa slowly seems to gain. So much so, she allows her vocals to be heard bare as she finishes the crowd favourite ‘Angel’ acapella.
“Do y’all even know this song though?” she audaciously taunts to a crowd that has whistled, cheered and applauded the introduction of every song she played, which included the preview of a currently unreleased new song. With the raucous reception this unreleased tune received, it most certainly passed the vibe check to be Lexa’s next hit single. Under yellow lights and a single white spotlight beaming down on Lexa, it is clear the future is bright for this 23-year old talent as she closes the show with a down tempo ‘Where Are You.’
Lexa may be new to this, but she is excited for this. Declaring London as the city she loves and wants to move to, it is clear by the reception she received last night, that she would surely be welcomed with loving arms.
Wow, she seems so versatile, think I'll have to tap in!