Olivia Dean live at Trinity Bristol on 18 September 2025
Posted on: 24 Jun 2025Multi-BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominee Olivia Dean will play a run of intimate acoustic shows this September in partnership with independent record stores and will visit Bristol Trinity on Thursday 18 September 2025 in partnership with Rough Trade.
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The dates are in support of the release of her highly-anticipated second album, The Art of Loving, arriving on 26th September which follows the critical success of Olivia's 2023 debut, Messy, which saw her cement her status as one of the most compelling voices in neo-soul and pop.
Last Friday, Sam Fender shared a new recording of Rein Me In, which originally featured on Sam’s number 1 selling third album, People Watching, featuring a new verse and vocals written and sung by Olivia.
Sam and Olivia performed the track at the London Stadium earlier this month in front of 80,000 fans to a huge reaction with snippets of the performance flooding social media soon after.
Olivia Dean: The Rising Star Redefining British Soul-Pop
In just a few years, Olivia Dean has quietly become one of the UK’s most captivating new voices, blending classic soul influences with modern pop sensibilities and lyrical honesty. Now, with a Mercury Prize-shortlisted debut album and an eagerly anticipated follow-up on the horizon, the 26-year-old Londoner is proving she’s far more than a fleeting presence in the UK music scene.
From North London to the World Stage
Born in Haringey, North London, to an English father and Jamaican-Guyanese mother, Dean’s multicultural upbringing deeply informs her work. She first discovered music through her father’s record collection and her early experiences in gospel choirs and musical theatre. A determined young artist, Dean earned a spot at the prestigious BRIT School, commuting nearly two hours each day to nurture her burgeoning talent.
Her career began in earnest at just 17 when she landed a backing vocalist role for drum and bass band Rudimental, touring Europe and appearing at festivals including Hungary’s Sziget.
Breakthrough Success and Messy
After honing her sound, Dean released her debut EP OK Love You Bye in 2019, swiftly followed by What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays? in 2020. Both projects earned critical praise and set the stage for her breakout moment: the release of Messy, her debut full-length album in June 2023.
A soulful, intimate record spanning themes of heartbreak, self-acceptance, and family legacy, Messy delivered standout tracks like “Echo,” “Danger,” and “Carmen” — a touching tribute to her grandmother. The album climbed into the UK Top 5 and secured Dean a Mercury Prize shortlist, solidifying her place among Britain’s most promising new artists.
A Charismatic Live Performer
Renowned for her warmth and engaging stage presence, Dean’s live shows have drawn accolades from critics and fans alike. The Guardian lauded her “Supremes-style choreography” and emotional connection with audiences, while The Times awarded her London headline show a glowing four-star review.
She’s since graced festival stages including Coachella, Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, and the Montreux Jazz Festival, earning a reputation as a soulful, versatile performer capable of both tender ballads and rousing, horn-infused anthems.
New Music and Evolving Sound
Olivia Dean continues to experiment with her sound. In June 2024, she released Time, a rock-tinged single performed live in a single take with her band. The track, drawing inspiration from the likes of David Bowie and Tina Turner, signaled a bold sonic shift for the artist.
“I really struggle with the idea of sticking to one sound,” Dean told Rolling Stone UK. “I’m going to make what I want to make because I’m too stubborn to be told to make anything else.”
What’s Next
Dean recently confirmed that her sophomore album, The Art of Loving, is set for release in September 2025. The project promises to delve deeper into themes of emotional growth and romantic vulnerability, while continuing to showcase her adventurous musicality.
With new collaborations in the works — including a recent duet with Sam Fender — and a growing international fan base, Olivia Dean is poised to become one of the defining voices of contemporary British soul-pop.
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