The Maison symphonique was the perfect refuge on Saturday afternoon, as Laufey presented the first of two shows on the same day to the Montreal public.
The average age in the Maison symphonique on Saturday was probably lower than ever. The Icelandic singer Laufey, at the age of 25, introduced many young people to jazz, using social networks, especially TikTok, to bring the genre back into mainstream music news.
The line in front of the merch table (t-shirts, sweaters, vinyls) could have led us to believe that Gen Z idol Harry Styles was in Montreal this weekend. But no, all these people were there for their new favorite, Laufey. Small or large fabric bows in their hair (like Laufey wears them) and beautiful summer dresses (too bad for the rain!) were in order. Some were there with friends, others with their parents.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Small or large fabric bows in the hair were a must for the Laufey concert.
Upon entering the Place des Arts room, we could immediately see that those who “like” his online publications are also ready to show him in person how much they appreciate his music.
Beyond TikTok, Laufey invites young music lovers to cultural spaces like the Maison symphonique and it’s beautiful to see. The enthusiasm with which the crowd welcomed the artist was heartwarming.
It hasn’t been long since Laufey enjoyed this success which somewhat defies the rules of pop music. But she has gathered particularly fervent admirers.
The formula chosen by Laufey for the large room with natural acoustics of high standards was the right one. The Maison symphonique, in all its beauty and grandeur, can be a trap for the artists who present there. If the orchestra benefits from the structure, other types of performances are not entirely suitable for the venue.
The Icelandic artist was accompanied by a large ensemble of musicians, including a string quartet as well as a drummer, a double bassist, a guitarist and a keyboardist, who were seated high up behind the stage. In the center, at the front, Laufey moved from the piano to the cello, sometimes picking up her guitar. His jazz had its place here.
A voice for the Maison symphonique
When the lights dimmed, the keyboard player played a few notes, then the guitar joined in and the tune became that of While You Were Sleeping. Laufey arrives running slowly, elegant in a short white dress and small black heels, to a round of applause.
She then grabbed her beautiful red electric guitar to accompany herself on Valentine. Her deep, just voice is enchanting. She seems to belong to this magical place that is the Maison symphonique, as if the latter was made to welcome her and make her resonate.
When she put down her guitar and moved on stage to Dreamer, the show became something entirely different. She is not the most expressive, but interprets this audience’s favorite song with beautiful grace and ease, while the musicians also give it their all. The arrangements are, throughout, successful and catchy.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Laufey at the Maison symphonique, Saturday
“Are there any among you who are in love? [Applaudissements] Do some people feel rather… behind? [falling behind] ? I have a song for you! » Falling Behind, to the tunes of bossa nova, arrived next, as she grabbed her acoustic guitar.
Love, this bottomless subject to draw on, is also the one from which Laufey draws the most inspiration. She does it intelligently, tells stories, is funny on occasion, candid and frank.
Beautiful Stranger, which comes just after, for example, is about a handsome boy she met on the train one day, she said in a moment that was a little too scripted, but still very funny. “I wondered if we were going to fall in love, but we didn’t talk in the end… Instead I came home and wrote this song. »
She swapped her guitar for her cello to conclude the piece, a very beautiful moment of music, demonstrating that Laufey is not only a social media strategist, but above all a very talented musician who has demonstrated that her success is deserved.
Entertaining multi-instrumentalist
She stayed on the cello for I Wish You Love then moved to the grand piano in the middle of the stage to sing a “still sad” song about someone she had a hard time letting go. The melancholic ballad… has finally convinced us of the extent of the talent of the young singer-songwriter.
Ridiculously skilled behind all her instruments, with a voice that she controls to perfection, charming in her interpretation as well as her interactions, Laufey is quite impressive.
“When I was young, I dreamed of bringing together classical, jazz and pop music, to make my own mix. I didn’t think it was possible, but that’s what you’re allowing me to do today,” she confided after a sumptuous piano solo.
Goddessone of his most recent songs, gave rise to one of the most powerful moments, all vocals and intensity, while the rhythm was starting to stagnate a little. Fragile, Bewitched, Bored (introduced with great theatricality, in another scripted, but enjoyable moment), Lovesick, From the Start (for which she gave permission to her audience to sing as loud as possible “even if we are in a magnificent symphonic house”, which they did with enthusiasm)… Laufey dug into her two albums, especially the more recent, for a generally well put together show.
The ovation that brought the young Icelander and her musicians back on stage allowed them to perform one of the most popular songs in Laufey’s repertoire, Letter to My 13 Year Old Self. The exceptional singer delighted Montrealers one last time before migrating to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier for a second promising performance in the evening.