Lauren Mayberry
1/28/2025 - House of Blues San Diego - San Diego, California.
📸 by @philtaniphoto
Lauren Mayberry “The Vicious Creature” Tour
Lauren Mayberry’s first solo tour was never going to be just another pop show—it was a statement. Kicking off The Vicious Creature Tour in San Diego, the CHVRCHES frontwoman proved she’s more than ready to carve out her own path, even while battling a sinus infection. Though she admitted to the crowd that she wasn’t feeling 100%, Mayberry refused to let it hold her back, delivering a performance that was both intimate and electrifying.
Opening the night was Cult of Venus, an enigmatic alt-pop act whose shimmering synths and moody aesthetics made for the perfect lead-in.
Their music blended ethereal melodies with brooding electronics, reminiscent of early Bat for Lashes and Banks.
Their hypnotic set was a slow burn, drawing the crowd in with haunting vocals and pulsating basslines before erupting into anthemic choruses.
By the time they wrapped up, the audience was primed and ready for Mayberry’s debut.
As the lights dimmed and the first notes of Crocodile Tears rang out, Mayberry emerged, bathed in neon hues, her voice soaring despite her illness.
The song, a biting yet beautifully melodic reflection on deception melded with 80s synths, set the tone for the night—this wasn’t just a CHVRCHES spinoff, but a bold reinvention.
She seamlessly transitioned into Change Shapes, a groovy track that fused dance beats with introspective lyricism, before launching into Mantra, a song that pulsed with cathartic energy.
Throughout the set, Mayberry’s charm and honesty shone through. She joked about her sinus infection, playfully warning the crowd that she might sound "a bit shit" but vowed to power through. If anything, it made her performance even more compelling—every note felt earned, every lyric delivered with raw emotion.
One of the night’s standout moments came midway through when Mayberry put her own spin on Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve. Stripping the song down to its emotional core, she transformed the Britpop classic into something deeply personal, her delicate vocals floating over minimalist instrumentation. It was a haunting, unexpected highlight that had the crowd singing along in unison.
As the show reached its climax, Mayberry closed with Sunday Best, a shimmering, defiant anthem that left the audience on a high. The track’s euphoric energy and uplifting chorus made for a triumphant finale, solidifying that, sinus infection or not, Mayberry had fully arrived as a solo artist.
The first night of The Vicious Creature Tour wasn’t just proof of Mayberry’s resilience—it was a glimpse into the next chapter of her career. Vulnerable yet powerful, playful yet deeply emotional, she delivered a show that was uniquely hers. And if this is just the beginning, there’s no telling how far she’ll go.
