LAUREN MAYBERRY WRAPS UP HER FIRST NORTH AMERICAN SOLO TOUR AT THE BELASCO IN LOS ANGELES
Lauren Mayberry enchanted the historic Belasco theater in downtown Los Angeles this weekend. Touring in support of her debut solo album, 2024’s dazzling Vicious Creature; the acclaimed CHVRCHES front woman wrapped up her first ever solo trek across North America with a spellbinding show in the City of Angels, playing her new record in full, along with a jaw dropping cover of The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” and a ton of hilarious stage banter in-between songs that rivaled Conan O’Brien hosting the Academy Awards across town.
Kicking things off with “Crocodile Tears,” fans inside the Belasco erupted as Ms. Mayberry hit the stage with her fiery new live band. The lights dimmed, booming drums echoed throughout the venue, and Lauren Mayberry picked up her onstage telephone just as the lyrics to “Crocodile Tears” described. “Change Shapes” found Mayberry front and center of the smoke-filled stage, basking in the spotlight as the audience joyously danced and sang. Slower numbers like the acoustic “Anywhere but Dancing” sounded terrific live. Long time CHVRCHES fans already know that Lauren Mayberry always crushes it live, but watching her perform in a more intimate setting with only a subdued guitar beside her allowed the nuances of her voice and overall passion to shine through.
Bangers like “Punch Drunk” and “Something in the Air” brought the house down. Perhaps the only thing more invigorating than watching your favorite singer ripping through their long-awaited debut record live, is watching them slay a packed crowd with their uncanny storytelling and comedic timing onstage. Lauren’s enthralling tale behind the megaphone she uses during “Something in the Air” absolutely killed the audience in LA. Unfortunately, no amount of keyboard wizardry can do justice to Mayberry’s hilarious explainer as to why the red white and blue megaphone she ordered online resulted in her worrying about her cat contracting fascism. No, you gotta catch Lauren Mayberry’s A+ stage banter in person to fully get the gist.
After playing 11 out of 12 Vicious Creature jams, and that rousing edition of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” mentioned earlier, Lauren Mayberry ended the night with an explosive version of “Sunday Best.” Pummeling a giant floor tom alongside her drummer, this captivating mini-percussion battle was the perfect way to say goodnight.
