★★★★★

As the UK entered lockdown in the middle of March last year, Låpsley had just released her incredible second album ‘Through Water’. Without a doubt, a sensational and beautiful piece of work that was robbed of getting a live debut. You only need to hear the studio version once to notice how well the record would translate to a live setting, now eighteen months later Låpsley finally gets her chance to prove it. 

Stepping out in the most magnificent of dresses, an extravagant and all-encompassing green piece designed by the artist Fears to “reflect the tones of the seaside in the North of England and channel the water up there” fitting with the themes of Laplsey’s sophomore record. Opener ‘Our Love is a Garden’ is the perfect scene-setter, it’s a piece of electronic pop that leaves you feeling transcendent from the moment Låpsley utters that first high note. There’s an ethereal and floating feel to both the track and how Låpsley commands the stage. 

The set the audience is treated to is a celebration of the Liverpudlians career; spanning hits from her earlier EP’s + debut record, her current Through Water era and a rare glimpse at what her future holds. Such is the strength of her discography Låpsley makes her 45-minute slot feel brisk and breathtaking. ‘My Love Was Like The Rain’ builds into a hypnotic groove before we’re greeted by the emotive ‘Falling Short’ which receives a rapturous reception. Låpsley pays credit to a ‘really special song’ which turns out to be one of her first singles, ‘Station’ whose arrival feels like a warm embrace from an old friend. 

The middle section of the set is dedicated to what's yet to come for Låpsley, we caught up with the singer before her set and she hinted at a more Afrobeats influenced sounding follow-up to ‘Through Water’, so it’s only fitting she performed ‘First’ a track from the record that best reflects what's to come, a vibrant electro beat dance record that comes alive on stage. It’s followed by the introduction of friend and collaborator Sega Bodega who arrives on stage to duet the pair's track ‘Make U Stay’. Promising some “big shit next year”, we’re also treated to the debut of the unreleased ‘Hotel Corridors’. It’s a slow burner that pulsates, featuring Låpsley singing a catchy refrain of “I’m running” over a killer beat. Despite describing the experience of premiering new music as “scary”, the track receives a very warm reception.

With an enraptured crowd in the palms of her hand, Låpsley begins to etch things up a notch for the set finale. “If you don’t sing along to this song, you can get out of the f**king tent* jokes a beaming Låpsley as she jumps into a monumental performance of ‘Hurt Me’ and when the chorus kicks in the crowd dutifully comply, dancing and singing along to every word. The joyful mood within the arena continues for a grand performance of ‘Womxn’.

Finally, Låpsley signals the end of the set with a euphoric rendition of her beloved single ‘Operator’ which sends an already jubilant crowd into ecstasy, it’s one of those perfect live moments, the sort we’ve been waiting these past two years to experience again. Låpsley kicks the air as she bounces off the stage, she must be thinking the same as the entire North Arena… “She’s smashed that”. 

Setlist:

Our Love is a Garden
My Love Was Like The Rain
Falling Short
Station
First
Make U Stay (with Sega Bodega)
Hotel Corridors (new song, live debut)
Hurt Me
Womxn
Operator