Lauren Mayberry forges her own path at The Sinclair
This show was shot for The Concert Chronicles. Original article here.
Performing in front of a packed house at The Sinclair, Lauren Mayberry proved she is more than just the voice of CHVRCHES. On the latest stop of her Vicious Creature Tour, the Scottish singer-songwriter embraced the intimate setting of the sold-out venue, delivering a performance that was both raw and electrifying.
Most fans in attendance were familiar with Mayberry’s work as the frontwoman of CHVRCHES, but this tour marks a turning point—the first under her own name. While traces of the band’s synth-driven DNA remain in her solo work, her new material showcases a more personal and introspective side, carving out a unique space in the pop landscape.
Mayberry kicked off the night with “Crocodile Tears,” one of the catchiest tracks from her recently released debut album. From there, she performed the entire record in sequence, bringing each track to life with emotional depth and a confident stage presence. The setlist, though brief with just 12 songs, never felt lacking; rather, it allowed for a tightly curated experience that gave each track its due moment.
Midway through the show, Mayberry took a detour with a cover of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve, a powerful and unexpected addition that brought the crowd to a hushed reverence before ramping the energy back up.
As the night drew to a close, she returned for a two-song encore, beginning with the tear-jerking ballad “Oh, Mother,” a moment of pure vulnerability that held the room in silence. She then shifted gears to end the night on a high note with “Sunday Best,” a danceable closer that sent fans out into the cold Cambridge night still buzzing.
The audience reflected the duality of Mayberry’s career—a mix of longtime CHVRCHES devotees and newer fans eager to see her stand on her own. With her Vicious Creature Tour, Mayberry isn’t just stepping out from the shadows of her former band; she’s proving that she belongs in the spotlight entirely on her own terms.