Mahalia Mesmerizes: A Night to Remember at House of Blues

On March 9th, 2024, Mahalia took the stage at House of Blues Houston as part of her In Real Life tour. The audience eagerly anticipated her performance, brimming with excitement for what was to unfold.

Alicia Creti is the first to grace the stage, her fingers gently coaxing the opening notes of her song “Epiphany” from the piano keys. Her soulful vocals captivate the audience, eliciting cheers of admiration and support. Creti is a rising singer-songwriter known for her captivating performances and soulful vocal style. Influenced by jazz and contemporary pop, she infuses her music with emotive storytelling and intricate melodies. 

Her performance was characterized by intimate and heartfelt delivery of her songs, often accompanied by skillful piano playing that added depth and emotion. Creti’s dynamic stage presence and ability to connect with her audience created an immersive and unforgettable experience for the crowd. Highlighted songs from her set include “Going Down” and “Crazy,” which captured the audience with infectious melodies and emotional lyrics. To conclude her performance, she concluded with her latest single, “Bleeding Me Dry,” earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

Shortly after, Mahalia emerged onto the stage as the instrumental of her song “Ready” filled the venue, setting the atmosphere for her performance. Mahalia is a talented singer-songwriter renowned for her soulful vocals and contemporary R&B style. Hailing from the UK, she brings a unique blend of jazz, pop, and hip-hop influences to her music. After performing her first two songs, she paused to personally greet the crowd, warmly accepting a gift and a heartfelt letter from a dedicated fan at the front. She expressed sincere gratitude and excitement to everyone present while also providing insights into the tour.

So tonight is really a celebration for my second album, which is called IRL. But don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry! One of my pet peeves is when I go and see a show from an artist, and they only play the new album. We are not doing that tonight! [crowd cheers] I tried to mix it up as much as possible I think I have your favs in there, but there should be something for everyone, so don’t kill me. I chose 19 songs, and I hope I have chosen correctly. So, we are gonna jump around. We are going to do some newbies, some oldies, and all that kind of stuff.

This next one is newer. Okay, 90% of my songs come from therapy, highly recommend I have been in therapy now for three years, and I don’t know what it is! My therapist is called Amy and when I’m chatting to her, I really just feel like I’m talking to my babes. But she completely gets me from head to toe, of course, and this song I made because we had this conversation, and I, as I’ve said, I’m from a small city now within that city, I’m from a really small town. 

When I was eighteen, and I moved to London to kinda live that like London artist life that I was told I had to do, and I really struggled with that move. I think I massively struggled because everything in London is more f*cking expensive, but it also just I really didn’t know how to be the Mahalia from the small town in the big city. So this song is about me feeling like a hypocrite all the time, and this one is called “Isn’t It Strange?”

Mahalia

Speaking to the crowd with the warmth of a close friend, Mahalia shared the personal stories behind her songs, fostering an intimate and inviting atmosphere. Her performance resonated deeply, mesmerizing the crowd with her commanding stage presence and sincere delivery. Mahalia showcased a diverse vocal range, delivering smooth melodies and engaging in intimate storytelling, crafting an immersive experience for the audience. Throughout numerous songs, the crowd could be heard joyfully singing along to the infectious lyrics.

Memorable songs from her set include “In My Bag,” “Do Not Disturb” and “Terms and Conditions.” Throughout the night, she engaged with the audience with captivating tales about her relationships and personal experiences, providing insight into the inspiration behind her songs. Concluding her performance with “I Wish I Missed My Ex,” the entire venue joined in singing along, creating an unforgettable moment. As she exited the stage, she was met with a resounding standing ovation that lingered in the air.

What an unforgettable evening filled with captivating storytelling and vibrant energy at the House of Blues! Don’t miss out on experiencing these incredible artists! For the latest coverage, check out our live coverage page!