Photo: Richard Gray
Låpsley’s set at the Tufnell Park Dome opens with a haunting, minimalist intro to ‘8896’. The light lifts, revealing the singer alone on the stage, and the audience hushes to a sort of captivated silence. A minute or so in and two musicians join her, the moody romantic light show begins and her trip hop beats commence.
The venue has a sort of '80s school disco feel - which actually doesn't hinder the sensuality and authenticity of her cover of The Weeknd’s ‘The Hills’, an unexpected highlight of the set. Next comes 'Station', one of her more well-known hits. Hearing its hazy reminiscing lyrics live for the first time is vivid and contagious.
This is followed by ‘Dancing’, which, by the looks of the crowd, becomes immersive for more people than just me - and almost transports you to an angsty dancefloor when accentuated with dramatic organ sounds and trippy lights.
Lapsley punctuates each song with a little chat with the audience, and her delicious Southport accent and down to earth candour leave the audience totally charmed. She mentions that she’s planning her 21st birthday party at the Dome, "which is actually in two years' time!" she confesses, and I realise I’ve missed the memo that Låpsley is just 19. She also produces her own music, culminating in an enviable skill-set that’s sure to result in some more exciting material over the coming months and years.
She closes the set with her latest single ‘Hurt Me’, and the crowd is on tenterhooks as she builds up to the opening. Her stark and uncompromising sound and confessional, universal themes of love, loss and being young are captivating, and leave you with an eagerness for more.
