Duffy has played her first concert in 15 years following a harrowing kidnap and assault ordeal.
She withdrew from the public eye and the music industry around that time, and went on to share in 2020 the reasons why she was absent from recording and touring – revealing that she had been “raped and drugged and held captive over some days” and that her subsequent recovery “took time”.
An upcoming Disney+ documentary will tell Duffy’s story, from her upbringing in Wales and rise to fame, to her subsequent withdrawal. It will include interviews with family, friends and peers in the industry. The project was announced in March, but there is no set release date yet.
Last month, Duffy also announced her first live show in 15 years, sharing that she would be playing at a “secret intimate” venue in London on July 5.
“I would love nothing more than for some of you to attend,” she said at the time. “It’s only a small capacity so we can only select a few [people to attend in a ballot], but really looking forward to it, I will sing some new songs.”
At the time of writing, no footage of the show has been shared online, although fans have revealed that it was a “phone-free” gig as the show was being filmed professionally for the upcoming documentary.
The performance took place at Hoxton Hall in London, and according to Setlist.FM, saw Duffy play a seven-song set, starting with new tracks ‘Woman’ and ‘One In A Million’, followed by hit singles ‘Warwick Avenue’ and ‘Mercy’, and more new music: ‘Blue’, ‘Amen’ and ‘Joy’.
“I was just front row to experience Duffy performing Warwick Avenue live in 2026. I’m GAGGED! That voice is insane,” one fan wrote on X. “It was at Hoxton Hall! It was part of her doc so no filming was allowed sadly but she sounds incredible! The new songs are quite heavy but very valid!”
I was just front row to experience Duffy performing Warwick Avenue live in 2026.
I’m GAGGED! That voice is insane!
— Ste, I Fear xx (@lionkingbitches) July 5, 2026
It was at Hoxton Hall! It was part of her doc so no filming was allowed sadly but she sounds incredible! The new songs are quite heavy but very valid!
— Ste, I Fear xx (@lionkingbitches) July 6, 2026
This makes me so happy. I can’t wait for her big return. She deserves the bloody world!
— Jonny (@jonnymgdraws) July 6, 2026
After signing a record deal in 2007, Duffy’s 2008 debut album ‘Rockferry’ became the best-selling record in the UK that year. She released her second album, ‘Endlessly’, in 2010, and in 2020 she returned with the singles ‘Something Beautiful’ and ‘River In The Sky’.
Earlier this year, she posted a photo of herself in a recording studio, writing: “If only I could find the right words to explain how much I’ve missed you all. Working on coming back to you.”
After detailing her harrowing experience, Duffy called rape a “weapon of war” in a painful account of her experience shared on her website. She then went on to encourage fans to speak out about their personal struggles, adding that she felt “liberated” after sharing her story.
The singer also hit out at Netflix that same year, calling them “irresponsible” for “glamourising the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape” in the film 365 Days.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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