Lauv
19th March 2018
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
Most would agree that Monday’s never hold much joy, and Monday nights are certainly not high on the social calendar either… But as the line stretched around the block – fans patiently waiting for the doors of Auckland’s Powerstation to open – the vibe was definitely more of a weekend one.
Flooding through the doors and straight to the barrier, opening act L.A Woman were faced with hundreds of eager faces as they walked out onto the stage. The trio who originally hail from the Wairarapa, looked impressive, lead vocalist Jake Schdroski certainly the epitome of casual chic in his loose fitting, open necked shirt. Friends since primary school, L.A Women have only been making music since 2016, but their talent shines through. With hits such as ‘Hurricane Love’ which has done the rounds on the airwaves, their sound is pop-electro mixed in with summery ambience. While from the moment they began they had fans wrapped around their finger, the sound mix did them no favours, with a bass dial that seemed to be turned up to 11, all of the delicate nuances of both their composition and Schdroskis vocals were sadly lost in a sea of chest-caving vibration. Never the less, Jesse Brown on bass brought the groove while Schdroskis cousin Zac Emerson proved easily that he certainly knows his way around a drum kit.
Fans were also in for a surprise tonight as one half of the hottest duo in town – Will Thomas of Sachi arrived on stage to join them for the gorgeous ‘Count it Up’. Unfortunately the gods were not quite smiling on the talented trio tonight as technical difficulties began to plague their set, cutting their next track short. Wanting to keep the momentum going, L.A Women moved straight into ‘Call On Me’ again another track that just oozed goodness, Schdroski’s vocals on point as he crooned into the microphone, an object that in itself is indeed an instrument and Schdroski knew how to use it to the best of his advantage – always a pleasure to see.
But soon the technical difficulties were back, and this time with a vengeance, resulting in each band member being huddled around the base of the drum kit (along with a sound tech) while trying to figure it out. While obviously frustrating, Brown playing a little impromptu bass line would have at least kept the crowd simmering, instead they were left to their own devices for quite a period of time, a few giving up and wandering off to the bar. But in true Kiwi spirit the rest remained, faces turned towards the stage, an outpouring of affection being given once the trio finally got up and running again, their enthusiasm obviously touching the band. With infectious grooves, slick beats and vocals that are like liquid gold, L.A Woman have a bright future ahead of them.
While those in the front row determinedly held their post, stage techs hustled around the stage in preparation for the main act to arrive. Stripped back, nothing but a drum kit in the left corner and a keyboard stand in the right, a silken white curtain hung from ceiling to floor at the back of the stage, a striking lighting design piece depicting Lauv’s emblem standing before it. As everything was moved into place you could feel the sheer excitement bristling through the fans as they waited patiently for the guest of honour to arrive, the occasional shriek of delight escaping from the pack.
As the lights finally dimmed and Lauv’s emblem came to life, the crowd roared as one collective, everyone pressing in close almost holding their breath. As he entered the stage, the fans erupted, hundreds of hands shooting into the air as they greeted him. Perched behind the keyboard he taunted them with his cheeky smile and just a few of the opening bars from his biggest hit single ‘I Like Me Better’ before he seamlessly moved down to the front of the stage, a white umbrella in his hand. As the lights took on the faintest blue tinge fans instantly recognised the opening notes of ‘Paris in the Rain’, cheering with delight as Lauv opened the umbrella above his head and continued to sing.
By now his band consisting of only a drummer and female keyboardist had silently slotted into place behind him, the trio sumptuously bringing the song to life, the fans in awe of just how lush Lauv’s voice was in person. As Lauv moved into ‘Comfortable’, he took the heat up as well, often crouching down at the edge of the stage and taking the hand of a fan and holding it awhile as he sung; here was an artist who knew how to use eye contact to the best of its advantages without ever crossing the line. However he also knew how to completely change it up, within an instant taking his set from sweet serenades to crazy underground nightclub scene. Tearing out his latest track ‘Paranoid’ The Powerstation was plunged into complete darkness as strobe lights illuminated Lauv from behind, both the song and his performance an absolute hit with all in attendance.
“Thank you so much!” Lauv paused to address his fans, “I have to be honest, I was not expecting this for a Monday night”. Indeed he had a point, the audience bringing so much light and energy to the atmosphere that you had to remind yourself that this was indeed a Monday night and not a crazy weekend at the club. Dressed in a simple white t-shirt and denim jacket, which by now was dangling off one shoulder, Lauv lit up the stage with his dazzling and completely genuine smile. “I have this dream of getting really, really , really weird with Auckland, New Zealand” – not quite knowing what he meant by this statement the fans cheered wildly regardless, their interest certainly piqued. It turns out that Lauv is quite self-deprecating calling into question his own dancing skills and likening them to just “flailing around”; but as he dropped ‘A Different Way’ the track featuring the unparalleled skills of the one and only DJ Snake, he had the crowd loving him even more as he took a few risks and busted out some questionable 90’s signature moves, his enjoyment of the whole scenario only boosting the crowds vivacity even more.
Indeed this twenty-three year old from San Francisco certainly knows how to work both a crowd and a stage, and yet he makes the entire experience feel so absolutely sincere that it feels more like you are part of it rather than an observer. As Lauv moved from soundpad, to guitar, whipping out some impressive blues chords, he exuded a luminosity from within that drew all those watching close to him, his infectious smile enough to brighten even the darkest of days. During ‘Question’ he accepted several pairs of cute sunglasses, attempting to even place a pair on his drummer as he continued to slam out the beats, his obvious glee at achieving his goal making the audience laugh.
Speaking with the fans throughout the show, he spoke of his obsession with writing both love and break-up songs, explaining that the name of his tour [I met You When I was 18] came from when he first moved to New York and the complications that came about from falling in love for the first time; the topic of matters of the heart and it’s tribulations something that resonated with all.
Following a mouth-watering version of ‘Easy Love’ Lauv then spoke of his “Blue Thoughts” box; perched on the merch desk he invited his fans to write anything that came to them on a piece of paper and drop it in, the contents of which he would later place on his blog along with the group selfie that he took just moments later. It was indeed an endearing way of keeping that connection with his fans even after he would inevitably leave our shores.
Finishing on ‘Getting Over You’ Lauv had the crowd bouncing as they chanted out the three word title, leaving them to continue to dance as he and his fellow stage mates slipped off stage. Of course the fans went into overdrive demanding for him to return and thankfully he did not make them wait long, overjoying many as he finally dropped arguably one of his biggest hits (in full this time) ‘I Like Me Better’, rainbow colours lighting up the crowd as they gave it all they had. But just when you thought it was all over, Lauv had one more tucked up his sleeve, ‘The Other’ the first song he ever released. It seemed fitting to come back full circle. Once again thanking the audience he bid them farewell for the final time, the sound of disappointed sighs and the slight breaking of hearts reverberating around the room… but an overwhelming feeling of love remained.
Lauv:
L.A. Women:
Were you there at the Powerstation for this beautiful singer / songwriter’s first NZ gig? Or have you seen Lauv perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Paris In The Rain
- Comfortable
- Paranoid
- Reforget
- A Different Way
- The Story Never Ends
- Come Back Home
- Question
- Easy Love
- Adrenaline
- Breathe
- Getting Over You
- I Like Me Better [encore]
- The Other [encore]
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