Alessia Cara
Long before Alessia Cara topped charts and took home a Grammy, she was a teenager in Brampton posting acoustic covers to YouTube—raw, soulful renditions that hinted at something bigger. When Here dropped in 2015, it flipped the script on what a pop debut could sound like: moody, introspective, and proudly anti-party. Suddenly, the world was paying attention.
But while the spotlight took her global, Cara never lost sight of where she came from. And in October 2019, she brought that journey back to Southern Ontario—playing a sold-out show at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square as part of The Pains of Growing tour.
It wasn’t just a concert. It was a moment.
Kitchener fans packed the iconic theatre for a stripped-down, emotionally rich performance. Backed by a live band and minimal production, Alessia let the songs speak—moving from vulnerability to empowerment with effortless grace. Tracks like Scars to Your Beautiful, Not Today, and Growing Pains hit deeper live, connecting with a crowd that saw themselves in every lyric.
Between songs, she spoke candidly about performing so close to home—how shows like this reminded her why she started, and how important it is to connect with real people in real rooms. For a region that champions local artistry, having Alessia on stage felt personal. Familiar. Full circle.
That night, Centre In The Square didn’t just host a pop star—it welcomed back one of its own. And for everyone in the room, it was proof that even the biggest voices still carry a little hometown in them.
