Before taking the stage at Madison Square Garden, Cil stopped by the Hard Rock Hotel New York for an Audacy Check In, chatting with Mike Adam about new music, including the new single "something like this," and her experience opening for Dua Lipa and Stevie Nicks.
LISTEN NOW: Audacy Check In with Cil
In town for an opening spot on Dua's tour, Cil was quick to praise the singer for her talent and dedication. "She really is dedicated to her craft and she's dedicated to really putting on an amazing show," shares Cil, who also shares an Albanian heritage with the "Levitating" singer.
"When I was really able to watch her and have the full experience was in Kosovo, and she just inspired me so much. I had like my set, I had my whole show planned out and everything. I was like fully ready, and I changed it all up before the tour cause I was like, 'I want to show up,' the way that she shows up. I'm learning so much and just watching her, just being in the proximity. She's a force."
This tour with Dua Lipa is just the latest big stage for Cil, who previous opened for Stevie Nicks. "Stevie was my first introduction to doing arenas and so there was a huge learning curve for me with that," Cil reveals. "But with Dua, I get the opportunity to focus on my show, focus on my performance, not just focusing on like, 'oh my gosh, don't be nervous, don't be nervous, don't be nervous,' you know, 'how do I make my way around backstage of an arena?'"
"Stevie, I'm forever grateful for because she took a chance on me," she adds. "Stevie is somebody who, she loves music. She loves good music, she loves talent, and she really gets it."
To hear more from Cil on her influences, tattoos, and the new track "something like this," check out the full Audacy Check In above.