As I started walking up to Shed 10, it was just going on 8pm and I could hear music coming from inside. It rattled the whole building!
Carlie Hanson had kicked off the night and Shed 10 was already quite packed by this point. Fans clearly got in early to secure their spot! I had never heard Carlie before but I have to say, she has quite a unique voice. I really loved it. It had quite a lot of variation in it and it was almost that type of voice that if you looked at her you wouldn’t have thought it was her.
Carlie touched on how she’s a fan of LAUV and that she actually fangirled the first time she met him. But to be “opening the show for him is insane!”. The only issue I had with the performance and would be similar for LAUV is that sound at Shed 10 doesn’t travel well. So if you’re down the back it’s not that clear and gets a bit lost. But she gave an awesome performance with her band and I definitely recommend checking her out if you don’t know who she is.
Now there’s no denying that this crowd of young, predominantly-female, people were here to see LAUV. And the screaming matched it. As the lights died and the screens played out some colourful visuals, Lauv’s band took the stage. They began to play ‘Drugs & The Internet’ and LAUV emerged in ripped jeans and what looked like the most comfortable cardigan ever! Oh and we can’t forget that bright pink hair!
As LAUV continued through the set, I noticed that he almost had a plan for each song. From how he moved to the visuals that played out on the screen. It was awesome to see the thought going into a show.
What I’m sure the crowd didn’t know, but were about to learn, was that LAUV visited NZ for a friends wedding and actually wrote the track ‘Enemies’ here. So it was quite a full-circle moment for him.
One of my favourite parts that I was excited for and definitely delivered was the crowd sing-a-long to ‘Fuck, I’m Lonely’. Hearing the crowd scream ”FUCK!” then dance was awesome. It clearly overwhelmed LAUV who had to squat down and told the crowd he was “blown away”.
The show then took a weird turn, with LAUV telling the crowd there’s comedy too. But the joke was a bit dark as he called himself a loser and told the crowd to “make some noise for self-confidence“. I really don’t know where that came from.
As it got nearer the end of his set, the cardigan came off and the crowd interaction was about to go crazy. Lauv jumped down to the barrier during ‘I’m so tired…’ to sing and say hi to those who had come to see him.
Lauv really did play a great set. The visuals matched well and his voice managed to be quite consistent throughout the night. It really was a good time. However, maybe a change of venue is in order. Bad sound and pillars that construct your view aren’t amazing. Just as well the show was. You can see more from the photos and setlist below:
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SETLIST
INTRO
DRUGS & THE INTERNET
PARIS IN THE RAIN
PARANOID
REFORGET
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SIMS
ENEMIES
EASY LOVE
FUCK I’M LONELY
I’M SO TIRED…
FEELINGS
MEAN IT
SUPERHERO
CHASING FIRE
BRACELET
SAD FOREVER
FOR NOW
GETTING OVER YOU
THE OTHER
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NEVER NOT
I LIKE ME BETTER
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