NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Icelandic phenom Laufey (aka Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir) played the first of two nights in Toronto as part of her completely sold out North American tour. If anyone had jazz singer releasing her first EP in 2021, a debut LP in 2022, a Grammy winning sophomore album in 2023 and going from playing the NYC’s Bowery Ballroom (capacity 600) in 2022 to selling out the famed Radio City Music Hall (capacity 6000!!) on their Bingo card, I’m going to call them a liar! Even Laufey would agree. But it’s not completely throwback as she does introduce a bit of modern day and wit into her lyrics (ie. “Listening to you harp on about some brand new soulmate. She’s so perfect. Blah blah blah”) That being said, it is still pretty unusual to have music that would normally be heard in a jazz club, a Vegas lounge, or even musical theater become so popular! But I have to say that it’s great to hear this kind of music becoming popular again.
Massey Hall was the site of Laufey’s Toronto shows and they sold out almost immediately after they went on sale. The crowd was an interesting mix of young and old (mostly young) and predominately Asian. I don’t know what it is about an artist in this day singing love songs rather than about social issues, money, and sex that appeals to younger fans…oh, I guess that’s it. Either way, we were there to witness the amazing artist Laufey that night.
Opening for Laufey was Wasia Project, a brother/sister duo from England. Also classically trained, this four piece band engages in jazz pop and set up the crowd well for the headliner. The siblings, with Olivia Hardy handling vocals and William Gao on keyboard, played a nice set. They didn’t speak much but Hardy’s expressive movements and faces told the story. Gao joined on vocals as well and the two provided some harmonies that you only hear between family members. A lovely band that I’ll be putting on my playlists.
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Laufey kicked off her set with the haunting “While You Were Sleeping”, then “Valentine”, one of my favorites. “I tell him that he’s pretty too. Can I say that? Don’t have a clue.” Love that! The band, consisting of drums, keyboard and a full string section, stayed mostly in the shadows but really completed the full sound of her music. The stage setup and lighting were spot on, ensuring that Laufey was always the focus. As for Laufey herself, whether she’s just singing or playing the guitar, cello, or piano, she sounds wonderful, her vocals always on point. While the crowd cheered every time she took a turn at an instrument, I found I enjoyed the songs that had intricate piano work like “Nocturne”. It was so beautiful.
Even though she doesn’t move around that much on stage, her personality and wit really charms the audience. Whenever she talks about a song being written about some guy, she makes a funny choking noise, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Since many songs were written about various guys, it’s a joke that is never not funny. Who can deny the appeal of this adorable artist when she’s being so self-deprecating in front of a sold out audience?
The nineteen song setlist was extensive, which made her fans very happy. She played mostly songs from the two iterations of “Bewitched”. I don’t think I’ve ever a whole crowd singing along to a jazz number. It really is a very unique experience. I look forward to hearing more music from Laufey and expect I’ll be seeing her at Budweiser Stage next!
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