LP w/ Lauren Ruth Ward
Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
04.22.19

This woman’s voice. The effortless power that pours from LP as she glides across the stage with ease is something to behold.

After a great opening set from her fiancé Lauren Ruth Ward, LP graced her fans with a much-anticipated performance, thanking everyone graciously for coming out on a Monday night to catch this makeup show rescheduled from February, due to illness. Showbox SoDo was a welcoming stage, with its warm wood accents and bistro lights, as her fans packed themselves into the sold-out venue.

Clad in her classic leather jacket, hands full of rings and recognizable curls bouncing on her head, LP greeted her audience with a wide infectious smile. Starting off with a banger, she belted out “Dreamcatcher” from her latest album release, Heart To Mouth, and then transitioned right into “When We’re High” from her 2017 album Lost On You. The enthusiastic crowd sang along and danced, emulating the energy without tiring.

LP is an excellent songwriter and has written songs for many well known and successful artists along the way. Those writing skills are really shown off when you hear the echoes of her excited audience declaring, “this one is my favorite,” song after song. There isn’t a dud in the bunch. I’ve seen her perform a few times now and something I’m hit with each time is the shock of her voice! It’s quite unbelievable. Every time I’ve seen her, with this being no exception, the people standing around me have the same awestruck reaction. Comments like, “Oh my god, her voice is insane,” can be heard echoing around you. Mouths gaping open in amazement as LP perfectly nails a run of precisely sewn together notes with such gusto. All along, continuing to move weightlessly across the stage as if it takes no effort at all.

LP also has a great way of connecting with her audience and making you feel like you are seen and loved. She made sure to reach out to a few kids lucky enough to score seats in the photography pit, graciously accepting a ribbon one of them gave her. LP also thanked supporters for the signs they made and carried all night, quoting lyrics with strong inclusive messages. It’s hard not to be moved by the authentic storytelling of her songs let alone the woman and voice behind them. And boy do her fans adore her.

This was the first time I’ve seen LP sample a few familiar songs, mashing up Kings of Leon’s “Sex On Fire” with her song, “No Witness.” And a quick dip into The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black.” Her band sounded fantastic and seamlessly backed her from one song to the next. All in all, it was a great show and a great night from the New York-born, now California-dwelling singer/songwriter. As always LP left her fans feeling loved and already counting down to the next show!

Review by Jess Sandiforth
Photos by Sam Lewis

LP

Lauren Ruth Ward