Laufey @ Rod Laver Arena 31-07-26
photos: Nicole Mago (provided by Frontier)
words: Michael Prebeg
Gallery
Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey returns for the second of her three sold-out shows in Melbourne with a carefully crafted theatrical performance. “I’m so excited to be back at what I’ve decided to call Rod Lover Arena!” Laufey exclaims.
Laufey
This evening’s show is divided into four distinct acts with the first immediately establishing the show’s cinematic spectacle. Opening with ‘Clockwork’, Laufey captivates the audience from the first note before flowing effortlessly into ‘Lover Girl’ and ‘Dreamer’. The warmth of ‘Falling Behind’ prompts one of the night’s first arena-wide singalongs, while ‘Silver Lining’, ‘Bored’ and ‘Too Little, Too Late’ showcase her remarkable ability to pair witty lyricism with timeless melodies. Despite the arena setting, every performance feels remarkably personal.
“I know I sound super fake being on a tour like this and saying that that still makes me feel so thankful and bewilders me so much, but it really does – that every night, I'm like, how are there’s this many people in the world?” She says, as she looks out at the full house. Being from Iceland, Laufey says she’s not used to being around so many people.
Laufey
The mood shifts beautifully for Act II, which recreates the intimacy of a classic jazz club. “When I was embarking on this tour, I really wanted to find a way to feel, make these really big rooms feel very intimate and to make it feel close for all of you like a big hug,” she explains.
Laufey moves to the front of the extended stage joined by a small group of musicians to create a cosy atmosphere during a jazz section where she changes up a few of her songs adding a little extra pizzaz. She pays tribute to the Great American Songbook with Burton Lane’s ‘Old Devil Moon’, a performance delivered with effortless sophistication. She continues here with ‘Haunted’ before fan favourites ‘Valentine’ and ‘Fragile’ highlight the tenderness and vulnerability that have become hallmarks of her songwriting.
“I found a way to mix contemporary and classical music together but never really thought that anybody would care to listen to this kind of music,” she reveals. Before she sings ‘Let You Break My Heart Again’ (a song she originally collaborated with the Philharmonia Orchestra on), she says tells us that it was received so well that it really encouraged her to become the musician that she is today.
Laufey
Laufey’s effortless vocals, impeccable musicianship and genuine connection with the audience bridges generations of music, blending jazz tradition with modern storytelling in a way that feels entirely her own. She also gives us a little bit of her stream of consciousness throughout the show to really connect with her audience.
Act III offers a brief but enchanting transition. ‘Carousel’ and ‘Forget-Me-Not’ continues the night’s nostalgic themes before the whimsical ‘Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude)’ provides a theatrical pause, reinforcing the show’s storybook aesthetic and allowing the audience to fully appreciate the artistry behind the production.
Laufey
The energy lifts again in Act IV, beginning with the playful ‘Mr. Eclectic’. Laufey delivers an outstanding run of songs that demonstrates her growing artistic confidence. She brings her sister out on violin to accompany her on ‘Madwoman’. ‘Tough Luck’ injects a welcome sense of humour. Before she shares ‘Snow White’ featuring some of the evening’s most beautiful orchestral arrangements, she gives an emotional speech.
“I feel like I experience every single emotion within one 24-hour cycle. And That's kind of what's my thesis is for ‘A Matter Of Time’. But I especially wanted to go in on those emotions, I almost feel a little bit scary to write about the ones that you don't really want to look at, the ones you don't want to face. And for me, that's kind of always been my kind of constant battle with how I look in my body,” reveals Laufey.
Laufey
By the time the unmistakable opening notes of ‘From the Start’ ring through Rod Laver Arena, the audience needs little encouragement. The entire venue becomes one enormous choir, joyfully singing every lyric in celebration. “I like to think that at these concerts we just live in our emotions together and forget about it for a little bit because we feel consoled by the people around us,” she says.
Laufey introduces The Final Act with the dramatic ‘Sabotage’, bringing a darker, more introspective tone that added another layer to the evening’s narrative before the audience erupts into applause.
Returning for the encore, Laufey closes the night with the gentle ‘Slow Down’ before delivering an emotional finale with ‘Letter to My 13 Year Old Self’ and leaves us with a poignant message to encourage us to chase our dreams. “Be brave and believe in yourselves because I think that there's so much power in them. I am living proof that dreams can come true,” she says. It’s a fitting conclusion that’s reflective, heartfelt and profoundly human and leaves many in the audience visibly moved.
Laufey
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