Forever Is A Lucy Dacus Concert

Dreamy indie darling Lucy Dacus visited Boston's MGM Music Hall for two sold-out shows as part of the first week of the Forever Is A Feeling Tour. Her 4th studio album, Forever Is A Feeling, came out on March 28 and instantly became a fan favorite. Up-and-coming ambient indie rock artist Jasmine Cruickshank, who releases music under the moniker jasmine.4.t, and folk-pop songstress Katie Gavin joined Dacus on Tour.

Up first was Cruickshank, whose new album Dacus co-produced. They were joined by a live violinist who added a sweetness to each song, reminding the audience to be present and absorb the moment. Cruickshank sported a green shirt, pink plaid skirt, and split die pink and blue hair, smiling throughout their set. She played a variety of emotion-fueled songs, bringing out Gavin for "Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation." 

Soon after, Gavin emerged in black pants, a black mesh long-sleeve body suit, and a yellow floral crop top to a roar of cheers. She dove into the uptempo and catchy track "Casual Drug Use" leading with her powerful and soulful voice. She switched between a guitar and piano throughout her set and effortlessly wielded a fiddle during the track "Inconsolable" and a shruti box during "Sweet Abby Girl." Gavin's command of the crowd was palpable, with fans starting to clap along during songs like "The Baton" and wave their flashlights during "Keep Walking."

The lights dimmed again, and Dacus jump-started her set with the mesmerizing "Calliope Interlude," named after the sparkling 1800s instrument, that instantly transported the venue. The Renaissance aesthetic that conveyed the intimate and poetic themes of the album translated perfectly to a live show. The intricate stage setup immersed fans in Dacus' world and revealed her eye for detail. Each instrument was housed in traditional wooden furniture, with an ethereal skyline Renaissance painting covering the bass drum head. The towering maroon-red backdrop, bookended by two white classical columns, featured the gold framing from her album art around screens that displayed gorgeous visuals and paintings throughout the night as if the venue was an exhibit. Dacus kicked off live shows for this era in museums, making it impressive that she brought that same sense of preciousness and intimacy into this larger space. She completed the aesthetic with an elegant black strapless dress and blazer as if she was out to visit an art gallery.

Dacus balanced softer and high-energy rock moments throughout the night as she sprinkled in songs from her many projects. Tracks like "First Time" and the Forever Is A Feeling single "Ankles" particularly energized the crowd, with each fan hanging on her every lyric. Her smooth vocals lulled the crowd into a trance as she carried their attention throughout the set. She brought the venue to a hush during acoustic moments for songs like "Please Stay," where she performed on a royal blue sofa with gold accenting reminiscent of a throne.

Dacus closed the show with a two-song encore. She started with "True Blue," the song she wrote for her alt-rock band Boygenius, which is comprised of equally transcendent lyricists and vocalists Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. The song is a heartfelt dedication to the close friendships Dacus has in her life, making it fit for her to perform at her solo shows as a reminder to her friends across the globe. Fans reluctantly realized it was the final song of the night and gave it their all, emphatically belting the lyrics to the cathartic track "Night Shift" before Dacus escaped backstage for the final time. Dacus crafted an unforgettable show that carried the aspects fans loved from Forever Is A Feeling directly into the live environment. She has a rare ability to make individuals feel as if she is performing directly to them. Make sure to catch Lucy Dacus live before the Forever Is A Feeling Tour ends in July. Buy tickets here.