Live Review I Margo Price @ Lafayette
Margo Price and her band captivate a sold-out crowd at London's Lafayette, with a beautiful and intimate performance of songs both old and new
With her latest album Strays making waves earlier this year, Margo Price has taken her fans on an unforgettable ride, one that continues to echo with its “stoic pearls of wisdom”. And now, with the promise of Strays II she's set to reveal even more layers of her artistry, showing us why The New York Times hailed her as “unstoppable, unsinkable, uninhibited”.
In the UK for a short stint of shows and Leicestershire’s Long Road festival, Margo captivates a sold-out crowd at Lafayette, London’s new musical hot spot.
As the lights dimmed, the six-piece band took their places, instruments poised for the magic to unfold. Draped in a white fringe dress and timeless cowboy boots, Margo took the stage with the enchanting 'Been to the Mountain', the captivating five-minute opener from Strays. The country luminary was ready to lead us through a night of poignant stories and soul-stirring melodies.
The journey continued with 'Letting Me Down' and 'Four Years of Chances', a prelude to the heart-wrenching 'Hands of Time'. This nostalgic nod to her debut album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter and it’s timeless country allure was a fan favourite as they revelled in the old-school country influences that had initially captivated them. A throwback to where it all began.
But the tempo shifted gears with the lively 'Change of Heart'. Margo's dynamic spirit led her to the drum kit, peaking with an exhilarating solo that brought flashbacks of 2017 when Margo last played in the UK at the growing Country to Country music festival. Amidst the clapping audience, a feeling of liberation emerged. In this shift of gear the atmosphere in the audience also seemed to shift. The upbeat tempo of the drum was permission for them to let go, dance, and indulge in the magic of the music, in whichever way they wanted.
As she rejoined the front of the stage, 'County Road' unfolded with an intimate rapport with the crowd, the barrier between the two officially broken down by the fiery drum solo just beforehand that also washed away any nervousness Margo might have felt. Now fully in her element, she gracefully traversed the stage with captivating and sensual movements. Kneeling down to serenade her fans as she softly sang “And you don’t even know, but I still see your car driving up and down County Road”.
After this, Margo briefly took her seat, a lap dulcimer in hand – a gift commemorating her 40th birthday: "Don't tell me you can't teach an old dog new tricks," she quipped before launching into 'Light Me Up'. The brief interlude of sitting still didn’t last long as the addition of her tambourine brought the rest of the song to life and she removed the stool to dance enthusiastically across the stage, infusing the atmosphere with irresistible energy.
This was followed by a beautiful cry of "LET'S GO BACK TO TENNESSE", a return once again to the tender notes of her debut album. This juxtaposition of old and new showcased her musical evolution, reminding us that while her roots remained, her music had grown dynamically over the years. The night progressed, leading to 'Strays', a glimpse into her forthcoming Strays II, set to debut in October. With her trademark candor, Margo encouraged the crowd to give it a spin on Spotify, confessing a verse slip-up with a grin.
The main set rounded off with the vibrant notes of 'That's How Rumours Get Started', leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for what was to come. Margo's encore entrance in a red sparkly outfit, cowboy boots still firmly in place, reignited the energy. This liveliness commenced with her signature flair on the drums, leading into 'Twinkle Twinkle', and a selection of her hits – 'Don't Say It', 'Radio', 'Paper Cowboy', and 'Heartless Mind'.
But it was 'Heartless Mind' that stood out as the apex of the evening. A moment of unity as Margo descended to the floor, gifting roses and harmonising with the crowd. It was a poignant, unguarded gesture that sealed the connection between her and her fans and captured Margo just as she is: a singular storyteller, with nothing to prove.
The night blurred into a smoky haze of music and connection. It wasn't about sitting back and just watching; it was about diving headfirst into the sound, letting the lyrics wash over you in the slower moments and bopping along with the crowd during the upbeat tunes.
Lafayette turned out to be the perfect setting to curate this home session-like experience; a jam amongst friends. You had it all – drums, guitars, harmonicas, and more keyboards than you could count. It was laughter, rhythm, and melodies all mixed together. The interplay between band members and their stolen glances visible to the audience, melted away any barriers between the two creating an enchanting hour-and-a-half musical adventure. In Margo Price's world, the music wasn't just heard; it was lived, felt, and shared.