Review by Claire Roach, photos by Izzy Hory.
“A song for you, a song for you, a song for you,” declared indie/alternative artist Adam Melchor during his opening set at The Fillmore on Oct. 9th. Not only was he witty and self-deprecating in a charming way, but he truly has a song for every state, from epics derived from a divorced household to picture-perfect love stories, and even a devotion to sports.
Opening with his rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and following with three songs from his upcoming EP, u, Melchor’s set evidently sought to repair the heart that was broken in his sophomore album, Here Goes Nothing!.
As Melchor recounted numerous stories that inspired his work, the audience quickly relaxed with his endearing demeanor. His tendency to write about specific instances is directly reflected in his lyrics, where Melchor narrates his life with the acoustic backing of his gentle, solitary picking patterns.
Before one song, Melchor told the story of the old Chevy that had indefinitely sat in his front yard during his childhood. One morning, he woke to find the car stolen, to which his parents were less than concerned. When the car was returned by the police, they were reluctant to take it back and ended up selling it later that week. Melchor’s song, “Joyride,” concludes that similar to letting the car go, his parents’ divorce was a situation in which he could ultimately find acceptance. Melchor’s songs are so effective because of the narrative that he creates through storytelling.
Modern jazz artist Laufey, the headliner of the Bewitched Tour, finds similar ways to relate to her audience. She uses experiences to guide her songwriting. In one song, “Beautiful Stranger,” Laufey articulates the feeling of being a hopeless romantic by recounting the story of a fleeting but impressionable crush on the tube.
Her discography has found success in its ability for listeners to empathize with it. Everyone experiences heartbreak, unrequited love and longing, which has been a main factor in her success, beginning on TikTok. In addition, her modern/pop-inspired jazz is a unique genre that has plenty of room for experimentation and growth.
Despite the reputation of artists with large TikTok fanbases, the show reflected that Laufey’s fanbase is more than just a phenomenon. At those shows, fans usually come to scream to the most popular songs and are silent during the rest of the set. At Laufey’s set, a chorus of applause, approval and affection could be heard throughout the entire set, truly showcasing the wide reach that Laufey’s music has.
During the show, specific lines and songs stuck out slightly more than others. As Laufey sang the lyric “Everyone’s falling in love, but I’m falling behind,” fans screamed in unison. When she sat down to play the cello during “I Wish You Love,” another deafening cheer filled the venue. Laufey’s audience was enraptured from start to finish.
To finish off the set, Laufey brought out Melchor for “Time Flew Away.” Their voices in combination with the strings and collective enthusiasm of the audience crescendoed to the end of the song.
