Beautifully "Bewitched": The Magical Power of Laufey

Laufey’s current tour is aptly named “The Bewitched Tour.” The title “Bewitched” comes from her most recent album, and it also captures the feeling all attendees are left with after an hour and a half of pure magic. While Laufey first began to gain an audience over TikTok in 2020, she has been able to masterfully transition into a post-pandemic industry, most likely due to her extensive music training that has spanned her whole life. Laufey’s playful style of modern jazz is enchanting and dreamy, capturing the hearts of audiences all around the globe. In fact, her 30-date sold out North American tour speaks for itself. 

On Monday November 6th at Riverside Revival, Laufey bewitched the people of Nashville. Beginning with “Fragile,” the first track off her 2022 album "Everything I Know About Love”, Laufey immediately set the tone for the night. The colorful lights and rich instrumentals aided in transporting the audience to a dream-like trance with her romantic jazz as the soundtrack. As her set continued, it was clear that Laufey’s fans were passionate and knew every word. Particularly during songs such as “Falling Behind” and “From the Start,” both clear examples of Laufey’s ability to go viral and remain popular while also staying true to the music that speaks to her. While these popular songs created an incredible shared experience among the fans, a particularly intimate connection could be felt when she sat with her cello and played the two-and-a-half minute “Nocturne (Interlude).” This is a purely instrumental piece that sits halfway through her album “Bewitched.” Such songs are not often mainstream or widely accepted among audiences. However, Laufey is forging a new path within modern music. Each time she sits at her cello, she proves that fans appreciate true craft and musicianship and can sense the genuineness of her music. 

The 350 people filling up Riverside Revival on Monday night were from all different demographics and walks of life. However, Laufey’s music possesses an honesty and craft that draws all different types of individuals in. She is breaking the mold as classically trained jazz musicians do not often become mainstream. However, her dedication to the music itself is what sets her apart. This mastery of music, paired with her playful personality and earnest honesty, make for a modern jazz monolith. Laufey is bewitching, and thankfully, Nashville was lucky enough to experience a piece of the magic. Make sure to check out Laufey’s new album “Bewitched” on all streaming platforms to experience the magic for yourself!

- Abby Jester

Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)