it was alright
by Z on 9/24/22WAMU Theater - Seattlespecifically came for his “how i’m feeling” album . wish he sang more songs from that, he really helped with my depression
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For as much as Lauv is known for his intriguing and inventive soundscapes, the multi-Platinum chart-topping singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist asserts himself as a storyteller, first and foremost. As if narrating from a journal out loud, Lauv crystallizes vivid memories and formative experiences through his music. With his unique ability to craft songs which are deeply personal and universally relatable, his stories continue to enchant audiences everywhere.
However, he tells his most personal story yet on his second full-length album, All 4 Nothing.
"The album is about the death of a dream I was chasing and waking to that dream that was already there," he reveals. "Up until now, I spent so much time trying to be something that I was actually ignoring what was right in front of me. If you want to really experience the magic of life, you don't get to choose. You can't pull magic from places where it doesn't exist. You just have to be aware of its presence in your life, play with it, and create something with it. Ultimately, this album is all about surrendering to love and surrendering to life."
Lauv has consistently converted the magic around him into generational anthems to the tune of 11 billion streams. After introducing himself with viral sensation "The Other," his follow-up global smash "I Like Me Better" has tallied over 2 billion streams to date, along with a host of accolades including sextuple-Platinum sales certifications in the US and Platinum sales certifications in 12 other countries, while reaching Top 10 chart positioning at Top 40 radio and Top 5 chart positioning at Hot AC radio in the US, laying the foundation for his Gold-certified 2018 playlist, I Met You When I Was 18, and a procession of hits which followed, including his Gold certified single "There's No Way" [feat. Julia Michaels].
In 2020, Lauv released his Gold certified full-length debut album, ~how i'm feeling~, bowing in the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200 and buoyed by double-Platinum single "I'm So Tired..." with Troye Sivan, Gold-single "Fuck, I'm Lonely" [feat. Anne-Marie], "Who" [feat. BTS], "El Tejano" [feat. Sofia Reyes], "Canada" [feat. Alessia Cara] and "Mean It" [feat. LANY]. Inciting tastemaker applause, NME hailed the album as "a powerful, beautiful debut," while FADER coined it "replay-able pop." Additionally, Teen Vogue called the record "21 tracks of emotionally-cathartic pop bangers that unpack everything from modern-day romance to love song fatigue." In between selling out headline tours and supporting Ed Sheeran in stadiums, he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and more.
As the global pandemic descended upon the world, Lauv found himself at a crossroads as he continued to write songs in his home studio.
"At the beginning of the pandemic, I started digging deeper into the songs I was working on and began finding common threads, common themes, and ultimately, the storyline between the songs which comprise this album," he explains. "On one level, we were all alone, and everyone was rebooting. On another level, it starts from the point of me wanting to be a musician. On the third level, it was about me being a little kid up until now. As these levels crossed one another, I started to realize there are cycles in life. In 2020, I was reassessing the things I wanted when I was younger. I was putting a lot of thought and emphasis on the person I ended up becoming and what I left behind in the process, and at the end of the day, it was all very much about me reconnecting with my inner child."
In order to do so, he also needed to let go and open up his creative palette.
"It was super different," he notes. "I was a lot more hands off on the production of these songs than I had been on my previous records. I started off my career producing all of my own music, but as things picked up and my free time became more limited, so did my ability to focus on producing. That's when I began to enlist the help of co-producers. But in retrospect, I realized I was really just giving up on the version of myself I thought I was--the person who's control-heavy. That really pushed me and allowed me to experiment more in the process. It opened me up to try new things, to experiment with my approach. Rather than write a song and record it, I would get up on the mic and start freestyling my lyrics. Approaching the creation process that way gave me no time to think about what I was doing or saying - I was just singing what I was feeling in real time, and he lyrics on this album feel more raw and unfiltered because of that. Instead of controlling every little thing, this album was me rediscovering my roots as a person. For a long time, I thought my identity was being in-control of the creative process. But my identity is just me, and I let myself go free."
Such freedom defines All 4 Nothing. The first single "26" glides along on a dazzling double-time guitar riff as he offers a series of plaintive confessions over glitchy synths and skittering bass. From the jump, he sings, "Can I tell you a story about a boy who broke his own heart and he always blamed everybody else, but the truth is that he did it to himself."
"The song was freeing," he admits. "It's basically about conflicting feelings you experience when you look back at your life. You got what you wanted and are grateful, but you still feel like shit. I needed somewhere to put the pain. It was a 'What the fuck?' moment."
Meanwhile, the track "Kids Are Born Stars" shines with neon keys and glassy beats as a nostalgic hook echoes.
"It's about being young and awkward," he elaborates. "One line remembers my eighth-grade dance. I was in middle school, and I had a crush on this girl. I reminisced on wanting to be important back then, because I was rejected by her."
Then, there's "All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love)." It marked his very first co-write with his girlfriend Sophie Cates, and their harmonies shimmer as eighties keys glisten through a dancefloor-ready beat.
"We had one of these super deep falling in love moments," he smiles. "She came back to the room, and I had the whole chorus. 'All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love)' is really our song."
Lauv not only embraces, but also realizes his potential on All 4 Nothing. "There's an unspoken magical feeling to this album," he leaves off. "It curates an energy of openness, wonder, and excitement, but also vulnerability and realness. I hope it opens up a vortex to something you haven't felt in a while--a place where you can build yourself up from."
specifically came for his “how i’m feeling” album . wish he sang more songs from that, he really helped with my depression
Lauv’s All 4 Nothing tour was incredibly magical. I haven’t enjoyed a concert like his in a while. It felt like a safe place, his interaction felt so real, his vocals are angelic. He did a 30sec meditation with us also, sharing his struggle with mental health and growing as a human. I’m glad he played at WaMu, it was the perfect venue. I didn’t want the show to end. I hope to see him around very soon! I’ve got my mom hooked on his music now ;)
He was amazing to see live, been to this venue once before and both times it’s been great!
omg, it was so amazing!!! it was such a positive space, the people were so nice, the music was top tier of course, and Lauv was so, so, so amazing. it was an amazing time, and probably one of the best nights of my life... to date.
Not gonna lie I went into this concert blindly. I actually only know two songs by Lauv. After the concert and during the concert I was a fan and I also took note of all the songs he sang !!! It was a crazy concert . He be slaying on the singing
It was amazing. Everything I could’ve ever imagined it would be. Lauv’s voice is angelic. The drums were also amazing. I wish I could live it all over again
The venue was perfect and all of the lights added so much to the stage and Lauv hit it out of the ball park. I am so awestruck and LOVED the concert. Can’t wait for him to come back to Vancouver!!!!
He is a great performer with amazing vocals. Stage was lovely as well as the fan service given for people who threw some gifts. I would like to see him perform again
Lauv was singing over a backing track, and he got exhausted after his 3rd song. He has good energy however he could use some work on his endurance and also involving the whole crowd.
Lauv was amazing live. He sounds exactly the same if not better when preforming all his songs. He's also very sweet and goofy with his crowd interactions so you'll definitely have fun in between each song. This was my first time in the Greek Theater and honestly it wasn't bad. I recommend dressing comfortably since it is outdoors and the seats are cement. If you try to go near the front there is no seating and you'll be standing the whole time while others will be right next to you. So if you don't like people rubbing up against you i'd recommend finding a seated area in this venue.
Lauv was absolutely phenomenal! I wouldn't consider myself a super fan, but I did happen to know all 23 songs he performed. His range and variety were on full display, from fully acoustic songs to much louder songs where he and his band could show off their guitar jamming skills. He also really connected with the audience and gave us insights into how he came up with some of the songs, what he was feeling at the time, etc. All of his songs are so full of passion and introspection.
That’s awesome . We were enjoy much fun. Just hard for looking parking.
He was such an interactive performer and read the crowd so well. Vocals were beyond impressive and the visual component with the lights and screens made so much artistic sense.
The show was amazing! I have followed Lauv since 2018, when he first hit the streaming waves with a bang! Took my oldest son to his show at San Fran venue for his first album, and again we saw went to see him at the Fox Theater for his second album, which was an amazing show! I had bought 3 tickets in 2020 to take both my youngest son and oldest son to see him at the Greek Theater, but COVID has canceled the world that year. I am so glad we were able to get these tickets this year! He never fails to put on a great show. I cannot wait to see what awesomeness he will create in the future. Me and my two sons are lookin forward to attending the next Lauv show!
This was quite literally the best concert I’ve been to. Lauv was amazing!!!
The live performance sounded just as good as the recorded songs, and some were even better! He made it super fun and entertaining! I LOVE YOU ARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Loved the presence of a large queer community, presumably due to Hayley Kiyoko's appearance. I went alone and there was quite a bit of time between each set of performers, so I found myself awkwardly waiting for things to pick back up. Pit was pretty fun and energetic, but I wasn't going to dare to push myself toward the front when plenty of other people had gotten there before me. Hayley's and Lauv's setlists were both pretty good. I'd only started listening to their most recent album releases a week or so prior to attending, so I didn't entirely know the discography. For the most part, both albums were good. Would I attend another concert? Maybe, but I don't plan on it. If someone else I know really wanted to go, I'd go. I kinda wish I'd seen him for his debut album Modern Loneliness because I wanted to hear more of those songs, but I didn't discover it until a while after I would've needed to in order to enjoy myself at the venue.
Lauv and the venue staff were so kind and they kept making sure everyone was safe and having a good time. This was one of the best concert experiences I’ve had, there wasn’t any pushing and everyone was respectful of each other’s space.
A+ except venue bathrooms were closed and we waited since 9 am with nowhere to go… had to walk in the heat and find a place that allowed public restroom use. Was not fun
Missing the large screens on the side stage for this event. Those in the upper sections couldn’t really enjoy the full experience.