California native Dasha has quickly become one of country-pop’s most exciting new voices. Born Anna Dasha Novotny in San Luis Obispo, she began performing in musical theatre and dance before turning her focus to songwriting as a teenager. Blending the storytelling heart of country music with the bright hooks of pop, she’s carved out a sound that feels both fresh and familiar. Dasha hit her stride with ‘What Happens Now?', an album packed with sharp, relatable lyrics and irresistible melodies. Its breakout single ‘Austin' became a viral sensation, catapulting her onto international playlists and introducing her to a new wave of fans drawn to her honest, fun-loving energy.
Now, with a new EP ‘Anna' due out on Friday 10th October, (Our review of ‘Anna' is right here) Dasha is taking that energy on the road, joining Kane Brown on the UK leg of his High Road tour. Her stop in Birmingham gave fans a taste of why she’s being hailed as one of Nashville’s most promising young artists — a performer who can make a room move and feel in equal measure. With her blend of sass, sincerity and stage-ready charisma, Dasha is proving that her rise is no fluke but the start of something powerful and long-lasting.
Dasha’s support slot for Kane Brown at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena was nothing short of a statement — a fierce, confident and musically dynamic performance that showed why she’s fast becoming one of country-pop’s most compelling rising stars. The show exploded into life with a furious fiddle solo from the thrust stage, the band already rocking out as the anticipation built. When Dasha bounded onstage in black leathers to launch into ‘Not at This Party,' the energy surged. The song’s Celtic-tinged instrumental, all foot-stamping rhythm and swagger, set the tone for the night. She prowled the stage, connecting with fans at every turn and proving herself an instinctive, natural performer.
Without missing a beat, she introduced a brand-new track, ‘Work On Me,' from her upcoming Anna EP. “I’ve got an album coming out on Friday! Want to hear something from it?” she teased, grinning as the crowd roared. The fiddle-led intro gave way to a pop-country anthem that blended lust, passion, and liberation — a sound sitting comfortably between Taylor Swift’s storytelling and Shania Twain’s stage bravado. Dasha used every inch of the stage and thrust catwalk, engaging fans with effortless charisma.
‘Like It Like That' came next, kicked off by a full crowd handclap that powered the opening verse. The song’s uptempo groove and bright, confident delivery made it an instant crowd-pleaser. Dasha danced across the stage, feeding off the audience’s energy, and turned the arena into a party. Her knack for marrying pop polish with country roots shone through, as did her ability to make even a vast arena feel intimate and fun.
After a quick chat with the crowd — and a laugh about being “roasted” for pronouncing Birmingham the American way — Dasha dove into ‘Didn’t I,' another punchy pop-country banger. The track’s thumping percussion and earthy fiddle undertones created a rich, full-bodied sound that showed off her band’s musicianship. Most impressively, Dasha’s vocals were strong, controlled and commanding, putting to rest any doubts that had lingered from some live performances from earlier in her career that led to some hateful online comments. She’s clearly grown into her voice in more ways than one in this past year — confident, expressive and full of character.
Midway through the set, she shifted gears with the raucous ‘Way Too Drunk,' introduced with a cheeky Nashville anecdote: “I know it’s a Tuesday, but what’s the vibe? Are we drinking?” Strumming her guitar from the thrust catwalk, she brought the crowd into the story — a girls’ night gone wild in Santa’s Pub in Music City. The song was an anthem for reckless fun, all swagger and humour and Dasha’s storytelling shone through as she turned the arena into one big honky-tonk.
Then came the emotional centerpiece of the night — ‘Oh Anna,' the title track from her forthcoming EP. Still perched on the thrust with her guitar, Dasha shared the story behind it: how the viral success of ‘Austin' and the social media whirlwind had left her searching for her old self, the one called Anna. The mood turned tender and introspective. With its gentle melody and honest lyrics about identity and self-worth, ‘Oh Anna' was a deeply personal moment that showcased her maturity as a songwriter. The crowd hung on every word, proof that vulnerability can be just as captivating as high-octane fun.
The energy roared back with a scorching cover of Gretchen Wilson’s ‘Here for the Party,' complete with hair tosses, head bangs and blistering fiddle and guitar solos. From there, she rolled into the new track ‘Memo,' another high-energy, fiddle-driven stomper destined to be a future hit and fan favourite. The song segued seamlessly into ‘King of California,' offering a dreamy, Fleetwood Mac–tinged interlude that highlighted Dasha’s melodic sensibilities and versatility as a performer on what, arguably, is still her best song.
Finally, she wrapped the night with the inevitable ‘Austin' — the viral smash that made her a household name. The arena floor literally moved as fans stomped along to the beat, and Dasha, ever the crowd-pleaser, jumped off the stage to shake hands during the song’s explosive finale. With wailing guitars, soaring fiddles, and a crowd singing every word, it was a rowdy, euphoric end to a set that proved Dasha isn’t just a viral phenomenon — she’s a bona fide star in the making with the songwriting chops and live charisma to build a wide-ranging fan base and strong career for herself.
Setlist: 1. Not at This Party 2. Work on Me 3. Like it Like That 4. Didn't I? 5. Way Too Drunk 6. Oh Anna! 7. Here for the Party 8. Memo 9. King of California 10. Bye Bye Bye 11. Austin Venue: Birmingham Utilita Arena Date: 7th October
