The wind swirls viciously around ICC Sydney, but inside there is nothing but warmth emanating from hearts beating with anticipation to hear their heroine's sweet, sad sounds.
Bowties fill the arena, wrapping the crowd like a large present just for Icelandic jazz phenomenon Laufey.Grentperez starts the night (14 September) with his soulful solo tunes, accompanied by hefty banter. "This is my last song, and it rhymes with hairy spine," he declares for 'Cherry Wine'.
He is sultry and charming in a nerdy way, blowing his lips like a convincing trumpet, much to the crowd's delight. He pauses before the song's conclusion to incite the crowd's cheers before ending on a sweet note.
The packed arena waits, young patrons flashing phone lights in attempts to locate friends. The stage holds a Steinway grand piano front and centre, and numerous chairs suggest a string quartet will accompany, alongside drums, guitar and keys.
Finally the band enter and the crowd erupt with a Beatles-esque deafening roar. The backdrop becomes a sea of stars, and beauty envelops you. Laufey takes her time to enter, and is met with another wave of sound.
Laufey (image taken at Melbourne concert on 6 September, 2024) - image © Danielle Annetts
She glances up at the ceiling whimsically, before taking to the microphone. "I still can't believe that you noticed me," she sings, as the screams continue. Her singing is simply stunning, she swings between intervals flawlessly and you're spellbound, as her heart wrenching lyrics pour out. "While you were sleeping, I fell in love," she declares, and it's not hard to see why she's selling out arenas.
"Hello Sydney, how are you?" she says warmly, to characteristic screams. "This is the final concert of the tour. If this is your first time seeing me, welcome!" she greets her crowd, before donning a yellow and black guitar for 'Valentine'. She scats delicately through the piece, which ends with a flurry of cymbals.
As the darkness drops to a single stage-light, smoke swirls up like sadness creeping to your door as Laufey sings: "I was your second best," breaking your heart just a little. The '50s movie set lights blast on and off reflecting the wavering emotions of the song's narcissist. Darkness then consumes Laufey, as the lights turn to the double bass and drums' gentle solo. It is an interesting interlude.
'Dreamer' sees a change of stagery, as white drapes become visible. The yellow lights flash out with emotion, as Laufey charms the crowd with high-hand gestures. 'Falling Behind' brings a nice touch of swing, just when the set was veering towards too much sorrow.
"Sydney, sing with me," Laufey incites, dancing charmingly with her legs. She introduces the band and the boppy song ends with a keys solo. "I wrote this in London, when I was feeling particularly delusional," Laufey confides, as if her lyrics aren't confessional enough. "Delulu as the kids say. Delulu is the solulu," she jokes, adding with a smile, "this is for all my beautiful strangers out there."
Laufey (image taken at Melbourne concert on 6 September, 2024) - image © Danielle Annetts
She moves mid song to take up the cello for a stunning solo, because what can't she do. She remains, cello in hand, for 'I Wish You Love', a winter fireplace of a song. "Are you having a good time?" she asks, needlessly, as the crowd, of course, scream. "Yes," Laufey whispers into the mic in a cute moment. The crowd are reverentially silent during the songs.
Laufey takes her place at the Steinway, where 'Let You Break My Heart Again' punches you right in the guts, as a white light swirls smoke over the piano. 'California And Me' features stunning strings, before 'Goddess' produces an impressively powerful moment that shines out of the show. String leader Michelle soars in the intro of 'Bewitched', which prompts the flashlights to come out in a memorable moment.
"I was defamed on Icelandic TV, because I named ankle socks as an ick," Laufey shares, "and all these Icelandic people DMd me pictures of their ankle socks, so I won't name my icks before this next song," she says, seriously. "Do it!" a punter shouts, and Laufey caves. "Ok, I will."
'Bored' starts with a flood of purple lights that shocks you with beauty, before 'Lovesick' sports full band power. Laufey's twin sister, and creative director, Júnía brings out a stunning Wizard of Oz-esque red shoe for the shoey moment, dancing offstage before Laufey makes her rejoin to do it together.
Laufey (image taken at Melbourne concert on 6 September, 2024) - image © Danielle Annetts
Júnía is unimpressed, spitting it back out, as Laufey declares, "oh that has a kick. I can taste the shoe," before turning to the audience. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be," she emotes irresistibly, before 'From The Start', which has the crowd howling "blah blah blah".
The stage return for the encore sees Laufey convey some deep truths. "I always felt like I didn't belong, I always felt like the odd one out," she introduces 'Letter To My 13 Year Old Self', "and here I am. If you have a passion, you owe it to yourself to chase it," she encourages, ending a perfect set.
Beyond charming, Laufey is simultaneously gobsmacking and yet approach-ably human. Fantastic songwriting, fantastic delivery and fantastic engagement, it's small wonder her shows sold out in minutes. An absolute star.
More photos from Laufey's Melbourne concert.
