Normally I would try to research the artist I'm going to see before shooting the gig. But, with NSC closing down and shooting or editing pics and clips almost every night for the last 20+ days, I just didn't get a chance. I mean, I've heard some songs on Triple J but that's it.

I knew I was going to hear some quality songs but enough to fill a whole set? 

Meeting Gretta Ray for the first time I was a little taken aback. Like I said, I'd done no research and that included just seeing a pic of her. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. 2016 she won Unearthed High so what did I expect? Well, nothing really. I just didn't think about it. Keep in mind I'm pushing on in years, I just couldn't believe how young she is. It kinda just punched me in the face. Come show time, there are smiles and laughs at the bottom of the stair case leading to the stage. A sold out crowd waits, the band tunes up and Gretta bounces up stairs and glides on stage. The seeming nerves at the bottom of the stairs have dissipated and Gretta immediately looks at home.

Gretta says a few times through her set "there are a lot of words" and she's not wrong. The lyrics are not what you might expect from a teenager. There's a clarity and understanding in her writing that is brought to life through her music. It feels like you're reading a diary you found at bus stop and each page is a new song. You want to know what's on the next page. The thing is, most of the crowd already know what's written on the next page. Including new single "Towers" and Gretta is very happy and humbled by this. 

Forgetting the obvious, what impresses me the most about this Melbournian is how she seems to be handling all of this. Through all the confidence and talent appear moments where it looks like she's thinking 'is this really happening right now?' Yes Gretta. It most definitely is.