Adam Melchor began his set with somewhere over the rainbow and he took a big swing with it. Adelaide is his first proper song and immediately wins over the crowd.
They say the best music is mostly familiar with a few pleasing surprises. Adam Melchor seems to follow that as a template. His next few songs and stories highlight that this guy is different. His chord changes meander in unlikely ways, which is refreshing to me and seems to force the crowd to pay attention.
Meander is a good word. His songs meander over fields and through gulleys in the verses and the choruses with unexpected bridges over streams (this would be like a bridge in the song of my weak metaphor)until he hits the slope of a hill and runs straight up it into a crescendo. And the crowd swoons at every crescendo. He plods quickly down into another field onward to home. Every song a similar trip to a slightly different destination, with a blue skied falsetto at the end.
Adam is comfortable and easy to listen to. His stories are great too. I hope he keeps doing that at his shows, it’s really connective. Good job.
As I wait for Laufey, I kind of reflect as I often do, on my music listening habits. I progressively seek out new music as time goes by, and I know I’m not alone in that. But that’s why I’m so excited for this show. Laufey ticks all the music satisfaction boxes she can except the live box. Yet, maybe, maybe not. Ooh, is this intermission like a Schrödingers cat thing?!? Until the show’s over I’m not sure if Laufey…. I’m uncomfortable with that comparison. The point I was trying to make before I was so rudely interrupted is this: I feel like Laufey is going to be one of those eternal artists and I’m really glad I have the opportunity to confirm that in person.
Two songs in and I’m encouraged: her fans scream and sing along with all the intensity you’d expect a rising star to receive. I can’t be grumpy about it; it’s so sweet.
Valentine and Second Best are like sonic butter. Buttah. Her deep voice resonant and full.
The stage set is delicately appointed. 6, maybe 7 golden-hued pot lights to blink softly and a simple wall of star lights adorn Laufey and her band.
Her band includes Adam Melchor who she takes a moment to thank, as well as the rest, but it’s nice to know they have a friendship. They will no doubt all be successful individually, they are a stellar group.
Any time Laufey puts away an instrument and moves stage, there’s a bit of a gasp waiting to see what she would pick up or sit down with. Her playing is so impressive and musical that you just take it for granted.
The songs themselves are often cooing and lonesome and dreamy. It’s like if one of those 2-hour coffee shop jazz YouTube videos you put on to do the dishes and read to had content and surprises and a unifying cultural touchstone. Those videos are fine for what they are but this is an elevation of I’m going to say 2000%. You can’t connect to those, the people behind them are doing a fine service but this is real, heartfelt, important music. There’s a reason she’s having this moment.
I had TikTok for a tic in 2022; that was how I discovered her. Probably the only thing I have in common with the Gen Z ding-dongs in the audience. But they are sweet kids, and they are eating her up. I definitely identify with the Gen Z desire for some healing and warmth. And I’m looking for alcohol-free options at the bar… am I the oldest Gen Z? My back hurts, I wonder if my fellow kids in the crowd wish they wore more sensible shoes. No, they all seem to have good arch support. I just lived that meme.
None of this to say Laufey can’t rock. The chorus of Lovesick is full cathartic release. She divides the crowd up and gambles on the right side of the audience including me singing along. Gamble pays off! I felt like a good singer for a change.
From the Start is a victory lap. A lot of screaming and a very loud BLAH BLAH BLAH
I wonder if kids don’t know about encores? All these people leaving in the ten seconds between the “last song” and the real last songs… Weird. I’d be ok with that tradition dying.
In the end, I conclude that I feel extremely comfortable giving my future time to following Laufey’s hopefully long career.
10/10
Review – Michael Rogers
Photos – Daphne Miller
