Rising pop-rock artist Cristina Hart is back with a new single, ‘Thank You For Leaving’, released today, just weeks after performing to a crowd of over 5,000 as the main support act for Louis Tomlinson at Zurich Open Air City. Personally handpicked by Tomlinson and his team, Hart was given just four days’ notice to prepare. With no major label backing, she and her band locked in rehearsals, packed up their gear, and drove 17 hours to Switzerland to make the show happen.
“My last band show was to 30 people — and I’m completely independent — so getting this email was surreal,” Hart says. “It only really sank in the morning of the show, when I woke up in Zurich.” The high-stakes performance featured a set of unreleased material, including her now-released single ‘Thank You For Leaving’, which quickly became a fan favorite. The crowd’s response was electric, with thousands of hands in the air and a wave of social media engagement that led Hart to bring the single’s release forward.
“Watching the videos back is absolutely surreal,” she says. “I still can’t believe it happened — but it did. I’m so incredibly proud of how it went and grateful to every person in that crowd who welcomed me with open arms.” The performance has marked a major turning point in Hart’s career, as she prepares to roll out a string of new releases over the coming year. The new material is taken from her upcoming EP, Everything I Never Wanted, a self-funded project made possible by a Help Musicians award she received in December.
Drawing influence from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, and Joan Jett, Hart’s sound merges raw, cathartic songwriting with gritty production and undeniable pop hooks. “This music is about being unapologetically honest,” she explains. “It’s messy, it’s emotional, it’s loud, it’s angry. I want people to scream these songs in their bedrooms or on their way to cut someone off.” With over 1,000 pre-saves for the new single and thousands of new fans from her Zurich performance, the momentum behind Hart is undeniable.
After nearly a decade building her career independently in London — juggling odd jobs, playing covers in small venues, and slowly growing her following — Hart’s time in the spotlight has arrived. Her previous releases earned her spots on BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop with Mollie King, airplay from Maia Beth, Alyx Holcombe, and Gemma Bradley, as well as consistent support from BBC Introducing Essex. She’s played The Great Escape, sold out headline shows at The Waiting Room and The Grace, and supported at London venues including The Garage, Omeara, and Camden Assembly.
Still, nothing compares to Zurich. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this show,” she says. “It was the best night of my life — an actual dream come true.” ‘Thank You For Leaving’ is out now, and Cristina Hart is just getting started.
