LAUREN MAYBERRY - BOSTON, MA 9.18.2023

Photos and Words By JULIA FINOCCHIARO

Lauren Mayberry (of CHVRCHES) brought her solo project “Are You Awake?” to Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA recently, enamouring fans with unreleased music from her upcoming record. With only a short 10-song set, Mayberry made sure to pack plenty of emotion into her dreamy, ethereal performance.

With only one of these ten songs having been released (and two being covers), Mayberry had the daunting task of keeping the audience’s attention with music that had not been heard before. She opened with her new songs “Bird,” “Change Shapes,” “Mantra,” “Under the Knife,” and “Shame” before performing a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” Next up was Mayberry’s recently released single “Are You Awake?” which definitely garnered an audience reaction. She then moved into “Crocodile Tears,” a cover of ‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” and finally to close off the night, her song “Sorry, Etc.”

Overall, Lauren Mayberry put on a wonderful performance that myself and other concert goers thoroughly enjoyed, and I am excited to see the solo work that she releases throughout the upcoming months.