Lauv

Article by Brittany Ormiston

Live, Laugh, Lauv. Tour season is in full swing once again, and Lauv is in the midst of it all. After three years of high anticipation and eagerness, Lauv is back on the road performing tracks from his most recent album All 4 Nothing. He is currently hitting cities all across North America, and festivals in South Korea and Thailand are to follow in the coming months. Lauv is in awe of “the amount of loving and accepting energy” the fans are radiating each and every night. The tour stop in Columbus, OH at Kemba Live! was memorable, mesmerizing, and a safe space for all in attendance.   

Lauv’s connection and comfortability with every single individual who supports him is unmatched. Prior to performing ‘Modern Loneliness,’ Lauv spoke about the meditation club he created earlier this month. This club is a hotline you can call to receive daily guided meditations from Lauv himself. The phone number, 762-CLB-LAUV, appeared on the screen behind him just as his vulnerability made its way to the forefront. Lauv did not hesitate to mention how meditation has changed his life for the better, and helps him deal with racing thoughts, OCD, and anxiety. The simplicity and bravery of Lauv talking about his own mental health made concert goers feel less alone about their own struggles. Mental health is a major topic on All 4 Nothing, especially with the track ‘Hey Ari.’ Lauv wrote this song to check in with himself during lockdown when times were hard, and he was engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors. He opened his heart during the writing process, and while delivering an acoustic performance. The emotionally expressive vocal performance was truly stunning, and a fan-favorite of the evening.

Lauv displayed his emotions throughout the entirety of his set. His upbeat energy during ‘Chasing Fire’ switched the audience into party mode instantly. Shortly after, Lauv was kneeling center stage for the first verse of ‘Stranger’ as the visual of pouring rain hit the pavement to set the scene. Concert-goers experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the set to say the least. This goes to show how invested Lauv is when it comes to his music, and the impact it has on those who listen. Along with being completely transparent on an emotional level, Lauv displayed the utmost confidence while on stage. He did not hesitate to add additional high notes, and crisp harmonies with the backing tracks. Lauv’s effortless vocal run at the end of ‘Drugs & The Internet’ caused the crowd to go completely wild to which he responded with the biggest smile. He would randomly bust a move, and skip across the stage without a care in the world. Lauv was glowing, and his energy was unbelievably comforting. 

Lauv treasured every single moment of his performance, and was head-over-heels invested in putting on a show fans would never forget. From witnessing his 2021 Lollapalooza performance to this tour, it is without a doubt Lauv is the most proud of his recent project. The new tracks resonate with Lauv on a very personable level, and it was truly special to watch him shine in all his glory. Instead of a typical crowd picture, Lauv had the Columbus crowd freeze in place for a video to commemorate the unforgettable evening. “I am not taking a second of this for granted. Thank you guys so much for being here,” said Lauv softly. Lauv will forever be a storyteller, mental health ally, and a really big star.

Kemba Live! in Columbus, OH on August 23, 2022

Photos by Everly Ormiston