CHVRCHES performed to a sold out crowd at the newly re-named Franklin Music Hall in Philly (formerly known as the Electric Factory and briefly North Seventh) or, what I like to now call it, Spaghetti Factory 2: Electric Boogaloo (#newspaghettiwarehouse). The last time we had a chance to catch CHVRCHES live was way back in 2013 when they performed at Union Transfer (see our coverage here), which was prior to the release of their breakout debut LP The Bones of What You Believe. Earlier this year, they released their 3rd LP Love Is Dead and are currently in the midst of a non-stop extensive international tour.
Being raised on 80s electronic new wave, it’s not a surprise that I’m a huge fan of CHVRCHES brand of earnest synth-pop. While their sound is highly influenced by the past, their relevance and level of social awareness/activism could not be more current. Evidence of this is only a Google search away, but it also comes through in their music on tracks like “Graves” – showmanship and artistry aside, this is part of what contributes to CHVRCHES being such an important and compelling presence in pop music.
The Electric Factory Franklin Music Hall has a reputation for having poor sound; however, somebody must have forgotten to tell Lauren Mayberry and bandmates Martin Doherty and Iain Cook. Their live performance and Mayberry’s vocals were nothing short of amazing. Her vocals appeared to be delivered with an extra sense of urgency and inspiration on “Graves” – not even chatty show-goers at the rear of the venue were able to dampen that moment for me. Also known for her between-song banter, Mayberry took opportunities to playfully throw shade at her bandmates, debate the merits of burrito bowls, and confirm once and for all that beer is indeed food (i.e., liquid bread).
For their encore, they performed their debut single “Mother We Share” and closed out the night appropriately with the arena-ready anthem “Never Say Die”. See their full setlist and brand new music video for “Graffiti” below.
Keep scrolling to see more photos from the show, including opener Lo Moon.
Setlist:
– Get Out
– Bury It
– Gun
– We Sink
– Graffiti
– Graves
– God’s Plan
– Under the Tide
– Miracle
– Science/Visions
– Really Gone
– Deliverance
– Forever
– Recover
– Leave a Trace
– Clearest Blue
Encore
– The Mother We Share
– Never Say Die
