Cleo Sol stood barefoot on the Hollywood Bowl stage, eyes closed, letting the rhythms of her neo-soul sound wash over her as the crowd hung onto every note. For her Los Angeles headlining debut on Friday, April 4, the sold-out venue became more than just a concert—it was a soulful gathering, a moment of collective healing wrapped in ethereal melodies and heartfelt storytelling. For one night only, music and spirit intertwined, leaving fans feeling as if they had just attended a sermon, with Sol’s voice as the guiding light.
That ability to turn a performance into something deeply personal is rooted in Sol’s own journey. Born and raised in Ladbroke Grove, West London, she grew up in a household steeped in music, thanks to her Jamaican father and Serbian-Spanish mother, both musicians. Early collaborations with UK grime artists put her on the map, but ultimately, she decided to step away from the industry, which led her to rediscover her artistic purpose. That introspection gave way to “Rose in the Dark” in 2020, the album that cemented her as a singular voice in contemporary soul. With records “Mother,” “Heaven,” and “Gold” following, and her work as the lead vocalist of the elusive collective Sault, Sol’s reach is undeniable. But on Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl, it was all about her—her moment, her voice, her space to transform a sold-out crowd into a shared experience of healing and reflection.
Taking the stage an hour late at 9 p.m., the anticipation only heightened the moment when Sol finally emerged, greeted by an adoring crowd. “Los Angeles, wow, look at you guys! Thank you for having us. Ready to sing some songs?” she called out warmly. And with that, the night unfolded in a symphony of deeply personal storytelling and raw, soul-stirring performances.
From the very start, it was clear Cleo was in her element—barefoot and unfiltered, stopping mid-song to remove her black heels with the help of her assistant, Amber. “Shoutout to Amber for helping,” she joked before sliding effortlessly into “Shine Your Light.” Throughout the evening, she masterfully connected with her audience, whether it was through her earnest expressions, her soft-spoken anecdotes, or the vulnerability in her voice.
She took a moment to reflect on “Sideways,” sharing the serendipitous way it was born.
“Thank you to every single person here. This is an amazing moment. I can see every single person from the back,” she said, taking it all in. “I’m going to slow it down if that’s okay. Even though all my songs are slow, this is even slower if you can believe it. This is a story about 2017, it was on my birthday with my partner, who’s here now. We went to the studio to try and write a song, and it just wasn’t working. He played at least 70 to 80 chords, and I wasn’t feeling it. And I said, ‘you know what, it’s still my birthday, let me savor the day and go home.’ And just as I was walking out, I heard a thump on the door and thought, ‘That’s the one.’ My spirit just knew. This is called ‘Sideways,’ I hope you enjoy.”
Later, she shared the emotional backstory behind “Young Love.”
“I was in the midst of feeling stuck, feeling like I couldn’t get out, but writing helped my mind feel free, even if it was just a little bit. And now I’m listening back to it, and I’m like, ‘I was really in it.’ But even so, I helped free a part of myself with this song. It’s called ‘Young Love,’ I hope you enjoy.”
Her presence was effortless yet magnetic—gliding, dancing and even doing a few salsa-esque moves on the stage as the front row erupted in cheers, sipping electrolytes from her signature red drink, and laughing about Los Angeles’ unpredictable weather. “It’s hot during the day, but once it reaches 7, it’s automatically cold! I’m from London, so I always take a rain jacket wherever I go.”
One of the night’s most moving moments came during “Heart Full of Love,” where fans instinctively lifted their phone lights, creating a glowing sea beneath the Bowl’s night sky. Sol paused, visibly moved. “This is making me emotional, I’m gonna cry. It looks beautiful from up here.” Gathering herself, she turned to her singers with gratitude. “Thank you to my beautiful singers. They hold me down when I’m emotional and can’t breathe properly.”
She left the stage abruptly after “Oh Mama Oh Mama,” but the night wasn’t over. As her band softly played “You Are Loved,” a ripple of excitement spread through the crowd. Suddenly, screams erupted from the back—Cleo had made her way to the middle platform of the Hollywood Bowl, serenading the audience before walking through the crowd, touching hands, and sharing heartfelt exchanges.
The encore was a perfect send-off as she returned to the stage for one last song, “Sunshine,” a final embrace of warmth and gratitude. “It’s so beautiful to be outside. Thank you to every single one of you, much blessings, see you soon.”
For many in attendance, Cleo Sol’s music is more than just sound—it’s healing. Several fans shared how her songs have helped them through personal journeys of self-discovery and resilience. “Cleo’s music helped me heal, come home to myself, and really find the beauty in the breaking, especially during quarantine,” Antonia Del Toro shared, who drove from Berkeley with a few pals just to make the show. “She makes you feel seen, like she’s singing the words you didn’t know you needed.”
As the night came to a close under the Hollywood Bowl’s open sky, the weight of the world felt a little lighter, thanks to Sol’s soulful journey guiding the way, if only for a moment.
Cleo Sol: Hollywood Bowl
When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 4
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles