You may not know the name Sienna Spiro yet, but you’ve probably already heard her music. The rising British singer-songwriter brought her headlining tour to First Avenue last night, and she was every bit as impressive as I expected.
Sienna started posting singing videos on TikTok in 2021, when she was 16, and quickly built a devoted following thanks to her unmistakable voice. It's raspy, rich, and full of character, the kind of voice that immediately grabs your attention and keeps you listening. A little over a year ago, she released her breakthrough single "Die On This Hill," and her career has been moving at lightning speed ever since. In the last year alone, she's opened for major artists including Sam Smith and Teddy Swims, released her debut album Visitor, and contributed the single "Material Lover" to The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack. Visitor proved to be a major success, debuting at No. 2 in the UK and No. 9 in the United States. Needless to say, Sienna has been busy.
Before Sienna took the stage, Tennessee native Summer Joy delivered one of the most impressive opening sets I've seen in a long time. Seriously, get into Summer Joy. Her voice almost didn't sound real. She is easily one of the best vocalists I've had the pleasure of hearing live. Her music blends neo-soul and R&B influences, though at times she also reminded me of Olivia Dean. Her set was wonderfully stripped back, featuring just her and her pianist performing acoustically. No backing tracks, no elaborate production, just pure talent. She didn't need anything else.
The crowd made its presence known the second Sienna appeared. For a moment, I thought my eardrums were going to burst. There were plenty of middle school and high school-aged fans in attendance, and honestly, I loved seeing it. There's something magical about experiencing live music in a venue like First Avenue when you're young. Small clubs create a connection between artist and audience that's difficult to replicate elsewhere, and for many fans in the room, this felt like one of those formative concert experiences they'll remember for years.
Speaking of First Avenue, it's hard to believe Sienna is playing rooms this size. It genuinely felt like one of the last opportunities to catch her in such an intimate setting. In fact, demand for this tour appears to have exceeded expectations, leading her to extend her run into next summer, including a return stop in Minneapolis. This time she'll be playing The Armory, a venue nearly six times the size of First Avenue. That's an enormous leap in less than a year and a pretty clear sign of just how quickly her star is rising.
Spiro opened the night with "This Is My House," "Time, You & Me," and "Material Lover," immediately putting her vocal abilities front and center. Simply put, this girl can sing. What makes it even more impressive is how effortless she makes it all look. Every note seemed to come so easily.
I also loved the overall aesthetic of the show. From Sienna’s outfit, hair, and makeup to the band's coordinated styling and the warm lighting design, everything felt carefully considered. The atmosphere resembled a smoky 1960s jazz club, creating a unique visual identity that complemented her music perfectly.
From there, Sienna only gained momentum as she worked through the highlights of her catalog. While her professional career is still relatively young and her discography remains small compared to many established headliners, she made the most of every minute of the roughly hour-long set. The performance never felt lacking. Instead, it felt like a showcase of an artist who knows exactly who she is and where she's headed.
The night came to a close with "Great Expectations," and I honestly don't think I've ever heard First Avenue louder. It was the perfect ending to a night that featured two undeniably outstanding performances.
If last night proved anything, it's that Sienna Spiro won't be playing rooms like First Avenue for much longer. Keep an eye on her. She's going very, very far.
