On a Friday night in St Kilda, Laufey, the Icelandic-Chinese artist, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist took the stage at the iconic Palais Theatre, marking the exciting beginning of her Australian tour. The air in the Palais was electric with anticipation, and attendees arrived adorned in elegant bows and playful coquette fashion, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. The crowd’s warmth and affection created a truly enchanting setting; I knew we were in for a memorable night. 

Laufey, (pronounced ‘Lay-Vay’) draws her musical inspiration from legendary jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London and Billie Holiday. Her profound connection with these iconic figures has left a lasting impact on a new generation of jazz enthusiasts, particularly amongst Gen Z. This dynamic community shares a variety of passions that go beyond music; ‘Lauvers’ share delight in participating in book clubs, savouring the tranquillity of matcha, and expressing their creativity on a global scale through their enthusiastic involvement in #AVeryLaufeyDay. 

When Laufey took to the stage, she was set to captivate us throughout the night. The beautiful purple hue of the stage and glittering starry lights beamed on her as she sang gracefully, accompanied by her vividly poetic lyrics and jazzy melodies while twirling in her Chloè dress and strumming her Gibson guitar. Her voice was hypnotic, backed by her 5-piece band and orchestra. Throughout the evening, Laufey mesmerised the audience with a captivating performance, effortlessly switching between piano, cello and guitar as she performed songs from her album Bewitched. Her theatrical and emotive lyrical delivery vividly illustrated the trials and sheer joy of young love, heartbreak and the trials of life.

Her enchanting storytelling unfolded across an impressive set of 18 songs, taking the audience on a journey from the emotive melodies of ‘While You Were Sleeping’, ‘Falling Behind’, ‘Bewitched’ and ‘Bored’, among others. In between sets, Laufey chatted with the audience, sharing laughs, giggles and personal stories. The pinnacle of the evening arrived with her chart-topping hit, ‘From the Start’. The atmosphere crackled with excitement when her twin sister, Junia, made a surprise appearance on the violin – the two of them gracefully gliding across the stage in perfect harmony. 

However, the night was far from over as the crowd called for an encore, and Laufey emerged once again to deliver a heartfelt performance of ‘Letter To My 13 Year Old Self’. In a moving moment, Laufey shared her personal message, inspiring everyone not to abandon their dreams, to keep going and never give up. Laufey’s unwavering dedication to her fans was reciprocated, as they embraced her with devotion, love and care.  

All were completely captivated by her presence and cherished every single moment, knowing that it would be a memory Melbournian Lauvers would treasure forever.

Written by Adriana Perri for Pen To Paper Media.