Lapsley @ Waterfront
Lapsley at the Waterfront was lovely. You missed out, Norwich!
Norwich, where were you on Wednesday night? Holly Lapsley Fletcher (aka Lapsley) was at the Waterfront! Tipped by the 2015 BBC Sound Poll, lauded by the NME, and listed in The Guardian’s “gigs not to miss in October”; the producer-cum-vocalist is kind of a big deal. Clearly, Norwich didn’t get the memo.
Holing up in Britain’s Lost Corner has its perks, but seeing a fledgling talent wasted on a half-full room isn’t one of them. Sold out virtually everywhere except for Norwich, Lapsley’s UK tour was welcomed by a scant Waterfront audience. The crowd may not have been what she/I expected, but the electro-pop wunderkind engineered any disappointment into her acclaimed sadcore appeal.
From song one onwards 19 year-old Lapsley indulged the frosty atmosphere. Early-hours electro seeped through the room; tunes like Brownlow set a deliciously uncanny feel. Lapsley probably wasn’t an easy listen for the many couples present; in wails and weary strains she sung of heartbreak, disappointment and betrayal. Regardless, her Adele-worthy vocals mesmerised. The crowd stayed largely schtum throughout her songs and came alive with rapturous applause in the interims.
More than just a gorgeous voice, Lapsley showcased her production chops too. She began 8896 singing achingly at her keyboard, then whisked us into a blend of loops and vocal drops. With jaunty tempo changes and meter-defying melodies, the whole performance felt natural, almost like Lapsley was producing right there.
Bonus points: she seemed as real as her music. During spots of technical difficulties, Lapsley engaged in placid chit-chat. “Norwich is nice…I went to TGI Fridays.” she divulged in warm Merseyside tones. “Decent”.
Keeping her set brief, Lapsley peaked with a surprise The Weeknd cover and closed with comedown track Hurt Me. “If you’re going to hurt me, why don’t you hurt me a little bit more?” she warbled into the night . “BECAUSE YOU’RE TOO LOVELY”, the night yelled back. Well, Over Familiar Dude At The Front, you spoke for all of us. Lapsley at the Waterfront was lovely. You missed out, Norwich!
9/10
