Holly Humberstone is breaking the small-town curse

Have you ever heard of Grantham? Probably not. It’s a small town in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, with a population of just over 44,898 (according to the 2021 census), perhaps most famous for its scenic countryside and being not just the home of the ginger biscuit but the birthplace of Margaret Thatcher (yikes). Given that description, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that only a select few have managed to propel themselves from their humble beginnings in the town into the entertainment industry – let alone tour the world thanks to their talents. Holly Humberstone, however, has managed to break that curse with some aplomb. The 24-year-old built a fanbase of millions from her bedroom during the pandemic, leading her to emerge from the cocoon of successive lockdowns and metamorphose into one of pop’s hottest properties. Her first two EPs – Falling Asleep at the Wheel and The Walls Are Way Too Thin – captured the hearts of critics and fans alike, and in 2022 she was presented with the Brit Rising Star award, following in the footsteps of Adele, Florence and the Machine and Sam Fender.

It was just a few months later, though, that Humberstone’s career reached even dizzier heights, albeit alongside personal lows: she toured with two of her idols, Olivia Rodrigo and Girl in Red. It was a bittersweet experience, leaving Humberstone with a profound sense of loneliness whenever the spotlight faded and she returned to the isolation of her hotel room. In those moments of seclusion and invasive thoughts, songwriting became a remedy to heal the crippling homesickness, leading to the creation of her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black, released last October. It was a project that presented Humberstone at her most vulnerable, painting vivid images of the toll that solitude, depression and anxiety would take.