Laufey lights up the stage @ The Observatory
SANTA ANA, November 17th 2023
Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey (pronounced lay-vay) rocked The Observatory in California with a mesmerizing performance. Her modern jazz discography has flourished over the past year, as it ws made evident by the large turnout at the venue.
The stage was first taken by Adam Melchor, whose acoustic, folksy set warmed the crowd with strumming guitars and raw vocals. Melchor's performance was marked by his chatty demeanor, filled with nervous ramblings that only endeared him further to the crowd. His authentic banter and relatable anecdotes won the audience over, along with his stellar set.
The highlight of Melchor’s set was undoubtedly his emotional performance of “SEROTONIN,” where the constant repetition of the line "I'm in over my head" conveyed his overwhelming emotions to a captivated audience. Towards the end of his set, the crooning in "PEACH" rose to a crescendo and the stage visuals worked seamlessly with Melchor, as the lights in the audience's eyes increased more and more, creating a sensation like an ascent to heaven.
As Laufey graced the stage with her iconic red guitar, the already enthusiastic crowd erupted into ear-splitting applause. Opening with the hauntingly beautiful, “Fragile,” she gave the audience a perfect introduction to her distinctive sound, a blend between classical, pop, and jazz.
The 24-year-old’s refreshing, silky smooth voice surpassed even the perfection heard in her recordings, leaving the audience awestruck. Despite much of her set being focused on singing and instrumentals, Laufey maintained a genuine connection with the audience. Interacting with fans, sharing stories, and making eye contact throughout, she demonstrated an exemplary stage presence without theatrics.
The intimate venue and attentive crowd added to the overall experience, respectfully allowing the music to take center stage. Throughout her set, Laufey played songs from both her previous projects and debut album, Everything I Know About Love, with minimal backing, as well as tracks from her newest LP, Bewitched. This allowed her tranquil voice to truly shine. She played a mix of energetic songs like “Best Friend” and more melancholy ones such as “Let You Break My Heart Again.” As the mood of the set ebbed and flowed, the audience’s energy moved with it.
Laufey’s versatility as a musician was evident as she moved to the cello between songs, performing a flawless solo. Between this, the guitar, and the piano, it seemed like there was no instrument that the Berklee graduate hadn't mastered.
Throughout the show, Laufey’s sassy stage presence shined, especially during “Dreamer,” as she strutted across the stage and teasingly sang the line, “As far as I'm concerned, this bitch is numb to love,” with attitude. Popular songs like "Falling Behind" and "From The Start" resonated with the audience, but hidden gems like "California and Me" and "Nocturne" held equal beauty.
While the majority of her set was beautifully mellow and soft, there was one stand-out. Her performance of “Lovesick” was the pinnacle of the night. The small venue vibrated with energy as she passionately belted this pop ballad. Towards the end of the song, she used the audience as a harmonizing instrument, teaching them different parts of the song to act as her choir. A powerful moment unfolded as everyone in the room sang along with no instrumental backing, leaving chills in its wake.
As hundreds of Doc Martens, hair ribbons, and long lace skirts filtered out of The Observatory, electricity thrummed through the audience, reeling from Laufey’s incredible performance. Die-hard fans and casual listeners alike basked in the afterglow of what can only be described as a holy musical experience.