Natasha Bedingfield Shines Bright at Splendour Festival
- Moira Clifton
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Natasha Bedingfield twirled onto the main stage at Splendour Festival, arms outstretched in a gesture both inviting and evocative. From the very first note, her energy was high and heartfelt—a true free spirit.
The audiovisuals began simply with calming footage of trees gently waving in the wind, setting a serene and natural mood. They gradually transitioned to a beautifully flowing mandala, adding a layer of spiritual depth and visual intrigue that perfectly complemented the music’s emotional journey. Despite the size of the audience, the gig felt intimate and personal – a reflection of Natasha’s ability to genuinely connect with the crowd.
Her vocal range was impressive and note-perfect, even while taking selfies on an audience member’s phone. The production was surprisingly powerful and rock-driven, offering a rawer edge compared to her typically smooth studio sound. At times, her vocal delivery was reminiscent of Alanis Morissette, whose own recent Glastonbury set was notable for similar emotional intensity and unfiltered vulnerability. Particularly in songs like I Bruise Easily, Natasha’s voice carried a heartfelt, confessional quality that echoed Alanis’ signature blend of power and sensitivity. In these moments, especially during stripped-back or acoustic segments, she revealed a rock-infused edge and soulful expressiveness that added depth and contrast to her usual sleek pop style. This unexpected similarity added an intriguing layer to the performance, highlighting her versatility as a vocalist.
The emotive ballad I Bruise Easily contrasted beautifully with hits like the life-affirming Unwritten where Bedingfield’s characteristic positivity shone through. The crowd went especially wild for this song, their faces lit up with enormous smiles. Natasha’s confident, relaxed and generous stage presence connected in particular with the girls in the audience who sang along with a fervour bordering on devotion.
Alongside her big hits, Bedingfield wove in a few early favourites like the anthemic Single, an upbeat, empowering anthem about embracing independence and self-worth, delivered with her signature optimism and pop-R&B flair. She surprised the audience by incorporating a few bars of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill at the end of the hopeful Pocketful of Sunshine.
These Words — normally playful and catchy — felt rushed and almost like an afterthought. Natasha didn’t give us the full version of the song, citing a short set time. Instead, she chose to perform a brief but well-received acoustic rendition of The Cranberries’ Zombie. It was a haunting and powerful choice, reflecting not just on the Irish Troubles but on the dehumanising effects of conflict more broadly. In today’s world, that message felt especially poignant and it seemed like every single member of the audience joined in.
Towards the end of the show, she tore off her boho headscarf, letting her blonde hair fly free — a vivid emblem of liberation and joy perfectly capturing the evening’s energy.
