Grace Davies (born 1 February 1997) is an English singer-songwriter. She is an independent artist, previously signed to SYCO Music (Sony) before the label's demise in 2020. She is best known for her original song "Roots", which she performed during her first audition on the fourteenth series of The X Factor in 2017 - where she came runner up, mentored by Sharon Osbourne.[1]
Career
2017: The X Factor
In Davies' first audition for The X Factor, she performed an original song titled "Roots", and received four yes votes from the judges.[2] She was mentored by Sharon Osbourne, along with fellow acts Alisah Bonaobra, Holly Tandy and Rai-Elle Williams. She was voted the winner of the Prize Fight in week 1 against Rak-Su, winning a trip to New York and a meet and greet with Pink at Madison Square Garden. Following the eliminations of Bonaobra in week 6 and Tandy and Williams in Week 8, Davies became Osbourne's last remaining act in the competition. She made the final on the weekend of 2 December 2017, alongside Kevin Davy White and Rak-Su. After Davy White was eliminated on Saturday's show, she was in the top two with Rak-Su and finished as the runner-up.[3]
On 12 January 2018, Davies confirmed she had signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music.[4] In September 2019, Davies and Tokio Myers performed as guests on America's Got Talent along with Stewart Copeland, performing "Safe and Sound", written by Tokio Myers featuring vocals from Grace Davies.[5] On 24 January 2020, Davies announced that her debut single will be called "Invisible". The song was released on 31 January 2020.[6] On 13 March 2020, Davies announced her second single called "Addicted to Blue", which was released on 20 March 2020. On the same day, she announced the release of her debut extended play, titled Friends with the Tragic, which was released on 26 June 2020.[7][8] "Amsterdam" was released as the third single from the EP on 1 May 2020.[9] "Just a Girl" was released as the fourth and final single from the EP on 26 June 2020 alongside the EP and the official music video. The EP debuted on the ITunes UK charts at number 52.[10]
2021: I Wonder If You Wonder
After her label Syco had ceased operations, Davies announced her first independent single called "i met a boy online". The song was released on 19 February 2021.[11][12]
On 28 May 2021, Davies released the song "testosterone".
"toothbrush" was released on 23 July 2021; it was the first song she made that she got a production credit on. She fought to get a proper production credit on the song because she was "determined to have [her] name above the door on every aspect of [her] music."[13] She called her co-producer Marcus Andersson a "genuine guy with genuine talent," as well as revealing that LANY's "Thru These Tears" was a key inspiration for the song.[14]
On 4 August 2021, Janet Devlin announced that Davies will support her on her Confessional Tour.
On 27 August 2021, Davies released the song "used to you".
On 8 October 2021, Davies released her X Factor audition song "roots", alongside its official video. It is Davies first official UK charted song peaking at number 89.
On 26 November 2021, Davies released her second extended playi wonder if you wonder, alongside the song "somebody".
2022: It Wasn’t Perfect, But We Tried
On 24 June 2022, Davies announced that she was about to release her song "Wolves" (as performed on The X Factor) as the lead single from her upcoming third EP. The song was later released on 1 July 2022, later that week Davies revealed to an online podcast that this EP would be released in September (though the date is yet to be confirmed).
On 19 August 2022, Davies released the song "Already Gone" and announced the name of the EP, It Wasn't Perfect But We Tried on her social media[15] - stating a release of the 7 October 2022. This date was revised and the EP was released a week later than planned on Friday, 14 October 2022. Davies released the single "Breathe" on the same day with the EP with its official video being released on 17 October 2022.
2024-present: Upcoming debut album
In 2023, Davies took a break from releasing to write her debut album.
In July 2023, Davies announced her debut album would be released in 2024, and started hosting intimate shows monthly at The Forge, in London.
In June 2024, Davies won a public vote hosted by Volvic to support Anne-Marie and Shania Twain at 2024 BST Hyde Park beating off competition from other emerging artists.
In July 2024, Davies performed new songs “Super Love Me” and “A Wonderful, Boring, Normal Life” at BST Hyde Park.
In August 2024, Davies announced new music was fast approaching as she revealed she would be hosting her last intimate show at The Forge, on Wednesday, August 14.
In September 2024, Davies announced that her new single, "A Wonderful, Boring, Normal Life" would be released on the 13th of September 2024. The song is the lead single from Davies’ debut album which is scheduled to be released in 2025.
On 1st November 2024, Davies released the second single from her upcoming debut album titled "Another Night".
