Review: Laufey’s Headlining Debut in San Diego

 

☆ BY Shellsea Lomeli

 
 

KICKING OFF HER FIRST EVER HEADLINING TOUR - singer, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Laufey shined on the Voodoo Room stage of San Diego’s House of Blues. 

The Icelandic Chinese artist is on a journey to reintroduce and reframe jazz music. Following the release of her debut album Everything I Know About Love, a worldwide headlining tour spanning from California to Zurich, Switzerland is the perfect way to continue this momentum.

Laufey has had a love for jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker far before her music career exploded in 2020 when she began posting videos on social media. Her dream-like vocal style and transportative lyrics encompassing young love and self-discovery have earned her a dedicated fan base across generations. 

She began the night with “Fragile”, a guitar-led bossa nova track engulfed in the relatability of hopeless romanticism. Her alto vocals stretched to every corner of the room, mesmerizing the crowd who softly sang along to favorites like “Best Friend” and “Valentine”.

The show was an intimate one - not particularly in size but in sensation. The evening resembled  a gathering of friends rather than the typical dynamic between artist and fans. Laufey spoke with a magnetic gentleness between songs to explain their origins and meanings, repeating her gratitude for her growing career. “I wrote these songs deep into lockdown…I truly just started posting videos on the internet and now I have all these real people”, the 23-year-old shared on stage. 

Trading her guitar for the cello to perform “Above The Chinese Restaurant”, Laufey showcased her incredible range as a musician. The ongoing presence of string instruments throughout the night added to the magic of the young artist’s discography. 

Like the best of artists, Laufey is more than a singer and musician - she is a genuine storyteller. With San Diego being just her first stop on the Everything I Know About Love tour, it’s crystal clear that there is no ceiling for this unique talent. 

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