Local singer Katie performs at Guns N’ Roses Wembley gig
Katie Rycroft on the fan zone stage at the Guns N' Roses show in Wembley Stadium
ATHY native Katie Rycroft had an unexpected brush with fame when she was invited to perform at Wembley Stadium during a recent Guns N’ Roses concert.
The 20-year-old singer, who typically performs in local pubs, found herself on stage in front of around 500 people in the ‘fan zone’ area next to the main concert venue.
“It was unexpected. It wasn’t on the main stage – it was the fan zone stage – but there were still a lot of people,” Katie told . “I had never sung in front of that many people. It was very scary, I’m not going to lie. You could hear it in my voice, but I did it anyway, and that’s what I’m proud of.”
The opportunity came about when Rycroft’s manager, who knows the MC of the fan zone stage, introduced her. She was then called up to sing a song on the spot, creating a memorable moment for the young musician, who has been singing since the age of five.
The performance has already opened doors for the talented vocalist who cites Lana Del Ray and Amy Winehouse as her influences. Fans recognised her in London the following day, asking for autographs and photos, while her social media accounts were hopping with new followers.
The experience, she said, has raised her profile beyond the usual pub gig circuit.
“The first person that asked me for my autograph, I actually laughed in her face. I was like, ‘really?’ And she was like, ‘yeah, I’m serious’,” Katie recalled with a laugh of disbelief.
While she didn’t get to meet the legendary rock band personally, Katie and her team had VIP box seats adjacent to the band’s area during the concert.
Looking ahead, the singer-songwriter, who began writing music at age nine, plans to release a new single next month, followed by an album currently in development.
