Sofia Isella Ignites Camden: A Star in the Making

Alan Bryce
Aug 29
3 min read

Electric Ballroom, London - 26th August 2025

WORDS / IMAGES ALAN BRYCE

Sofia Isella Ignites Camden: A Star in the Making

Sofia Isella, born in Los Angeles in 2005, is a rising star quickly carving out her place in the music world. She began playing violin at three, was writing lyrics by eight, and had a full EP’s worth of songs by fifteen, leading to the release of her debut EP I’m Not Yours in 2020. After relocating to Australia, she gained attention with standout performances such as at the Caloundra Music Festival and built a devoted following on TikTok, which opened doors to touring with Melanie Martinez and Tom Odell in 2023–24, and even supporting Taylor Swift at the first London show of the Era’s Tour.

September 2024 saw the release of her second EP I Can Be Your Mother, featuring singles like “Cacao and Cocaine” and “Sex Concept,” just before she and her family returned to the US. In April 2025, Sofia embarked on her You’ll Understand Dick Tour across the US and Europe, coinciding with the May release of her third EP I’m Camera, which included the singles “Dog’s Dinner” and “Crowd Caffeine.” With festival appearances and sold-out shows across Europe—including a finale in Glasgow—the tour continues through North America and will conclude in Australia at the end of 2025, cementing Sofia’s status as one of the most exciting young voices of her generation.

I was fortunate enough to attend the London show on this tour, the third-to-last of the European leg, held at the iconic Electric Ballroom in Camden. With its rich musical history, the venue’s 1,500-capacity room was buzzing long before the lights dimmed, packed with a diverse and enthusiastic crowd—predominantly Gen Z—ready for a night of discovery and catharsis.

Supporting Sofia was Nxdia, the Egyptian-born, Manchester-based alt-pop artist and member of Loud LDN. Blending English and Arabic lyrics with guitar-driven energy, Nxdia’s set was a refreshing collision of Paramore-style emo-pop and Middle Eastern flair. Their music, both high-energy and emotionally charged, had the audience hooked—singing, moving, and primed for the night ahead.

Then, in a surge of applause that felt seismic, Sofia Isella took the stage. Opening with “Hot Gum,” a cult-favorite non-album track, she immediately set the tone: intense, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. Tracks like “Cacao and Cocaine” from her I Can Be Your Mother EP and her 2025 single “Josephine” kept the momentum high, each song building in scope and passion. Her set balanced fan favorites with unreleased gems, creating a sense of intimacy between artist and audience.

What struck me most was Sofia’s range of artistry. Not content to stay behind a mic stand, she roamed the stage with frenetic energy, seamlessly switching between violin, guitar, and keyboards while delivering a performance that was both precise and unhinged. “Switching between violin, guitar, and keyboards while dancing with wild abandon, Sofia proved herself not just a vocalist but a complete musician.”

Midway through, she surprised the crowd by stepping down into the audience, singing face-to-face with fans who responded not with chaos, but with respect and admiration—a testament to the relationship she’s built with her listeners. Even technical issues—mic feedback and sound glitches—didn’t rattle her. If anything, they only highlighted her professionalism.

A standout moment came two-thirds into the set, when Paris Paloma joined her on stage. Their collaboration was both fierce and fragile, a powerful duet that had the room screaming in delight. “The chemistry between Sofia and Paris Paloma was undeniable—intense, achingly beautiful, and pure magic.”

After Paris departed, Sofia ramped up the intensity with two more tracks from her second EP before closing with one of the most unforgettable moments of the night. During “Orchestrated,” she launched herself into the crowd, surfing across the sea of hands while singing every line with perfect clarity. “The sight of her crowd surfing during ‘Orchestrated,’ singing while held aloft, was thrilling and symbolic: an artist literally supported by her fans.”

Despite the occasional sound hiccups, Sofia’s Camden show was a masterclass in charisma, energy, and sheer talent. Her voice—mesmerizing and versatile—cut through the mix with raw emotional power, and her message of empowerment resonated deeply with a generation looking for voices like hers.

This was more than just a gig. It felt like the early chapters of a superstar’s story. “It won’t be long before Sofia Isella is headlining stadiums. Camden was just the beginning.”

Set List