Would it be cliché to say that Lauren Mayberry took us to CHVRCH last week in Boston? Probably, but it would be an accurate way to describe the wonderful show that the CHVRCHES frontwoman brought to The Sinclair in support of her debut album, Vicious Creature. The venue was actually a last-minute downsize, which made for a packed, but intimate show that allowed Mayberry to really connect with the fans. The improvement in her stage presence as a solo act was clear compared to her show just over a year ago prior to her album release; Mayberry seemed much more comfortable in her own skin, commanding the stage and not being afraid to talk to and interact with the audience between songs.
The night began with an ethereal set by artist and activist Cult of Venus, who did their best to put the audience in a trance as they performed against a harshly lit backdrop, showing us just a silhouette. Their music is what can only be described as dystopian in nature, putting themes like climate change, wildfires, social media, and propaganda against electronic synths and drawn out instrumentals. Their latest single, “Algorithm,” was just released last Friday.
Lauren Mayberry took the stage shortly after the opening set was done, opening up with “Crocodile Tears” followed by “Change Shapes” and “Mantra.” She kept the setlist simple, playing the entirety of Vicious Creature, just a little out of order, along with a cover of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve a little over halfway through the set. After the first song, she commented on the lack of bow on her outfit, which she apparently lost the battle with shortly before the show. Noticing there were a lot of kids in the crowd, she tried to keep the profanity down, though joked that this could be a difficult task for someone Scottish.
Before “Something In The Air,” for which she brought out a megaphone as a prop, Mayberry told the audience a story about the original megaphone she had purchased – a red, white, and blue one like the one mentioned in the song. When she opened the box, she unfortunately found a photo of Donald Trump using it, and immediately returned it. Though a funny story, she (sadly, probably accurately) commented how telling this story might not go over well the further she went into the country.
The Vicious Creature Tour continues for about another week in the US before heading over to the UK at the end of March. You can get tickets on Lauren Mayberry’s website here, and we highly recommend checking it out!
