I wasn’t aware of Lauren Mayberry until she rocked the O2 in support of London Grammar last month, but now I am a convert!
The former Chvrches singer and writer was performing at the O2 in support of her first solo album, Vicious Creature which is released this week. You can skip straight to the concert highlights videos,or read more about this fantastic show.
Who is Lauren Mayberry?
Scottish born Lauren Mayberry is a talented vocalist and songwriter best known for fronting the synth-pop band Chvrches. She joined the group in 2011, bringing her distinctive voice and sharp lyricism to their signature sound. Alongside bandmates Iain Cook and Martin Doherty, Mayberry co-wrote and co-produced some of their biggest hits, including The Mother We Share, Leave a Trace, and Clearest Blue. Before Chvrches, Lauren played in smaller bands while earning a law degree and a master’s in journalism from the University of Strathclyde. After more than a decade as a threesome, she is branching out as a solo artist to great acclaim.
Lauren Mayberry O2 Set List & Review
The short O2 set was all solo work including three of her recent solo releases, including Crocodile Tears and Change Shape.
Somewhere between a 90’s version of the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lauren effortlessly mixes dance with introspection delivering songs that reward repeated and frequent listening. Lauren’s brief O2 set was entertaining, introspective and energising and I can’t wait to hear more.
Her return to the stage for the final London Grammar track just added to the thrill of seeing her live.
As ever I took some video of her set, which I have been playing back as I get into her music.
- Crocodile Tears
- Change Shapes
- Mantra
- Shame
- Are You Awake?
- Something in the Air
- Sorry, Etc
The set was a mix of ‘boppy numbers’ (yes, I do sound old saying that) and some more introspective numbers, or as she calls them .. “sad and depressing songs like Mantra which had a real Cure vibe to it.
Change Shapes, was one such boppy number with upbeat synths masking some deeper themes of a public vs private persona, “It’s exhausting trying so hard all the time, Performative hypocrisy took over my mind… Guess I’m quite the actress, no one knows I’m a liar, I’m preaching to the choir, I’m a body for hire..”
Are You Awake? is a brilliant introspective track, played by Lauren at the piano holding us [that were paying attention] as I tried to decipher the lyrics. “Are you awake? I feel a sadness in my skin, It happens sometimes now..”
The final track on this short set , Sorry Etc. was a great way to end on a high warming us nicely for London Grammar.
If support acts offer the artist an opportunity to reach a wider audience then Lauren Mayberry has achieved just that. I am now digging, and digging into her solo music and making some inroads to her earlier work. Hopefully she will tour the full album next year so I can see her in a more intimate venue.
Are you a fan of Lauren or Chvrches? Let me know your favourite track in the comments below!
