Lauren Mayberry, lead singer of CHVRCHES, embarked on her US Tour this week, marking a new chapter in her solo career. The tour kicked off with a heartfelt cover of The Verve’s ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’.
Over the next five weeks, Mayberry will play 24 shows across North America, beginning in San Diego on January 28 and concluding in Los Angeles on March 2. She will then return to her hometown of Glasgow on March 20, followed by 6 additional shows across the UK.
Her solo career has steadily been gaining momentum, marked by her US television solo debut last month on Jimmy Kimmel where she performed ‘Something in the Air’ from her debut album ‘Vicious Creature’.
Mayberry’s music career began as lead singer of CHVRCHES, an alternative band formed in Glasgow in 2011. Known for their innovative synth-driven sound and introspective lyricism, CHVRCHES quickly became a standout in the indie and electronic music scenes. The band’s debut album, ‘The Bones of What You Believe’ (2013), catapulted them to international fame with hits like ‘The Mother We Share’ and ‘Recover’.
In 2023, Mayberry reflected on the transition from the band to her solo career, telling NME: “For any front person in a band, but especially a woman, as soon as you say the words ‘solo material’ people get very upset with you. I feel like every second sentence is, ‘I’m not breaking up the band, guys, however…”
“But we’re lucky enough to have fans that care so much that they don’t want it to break up. I feel grateful, but I’m trying to be reassuring to them – just give us a couple more years guys, it’s going to be fine.”
During her set in San Diego, Mayberry delivered a powerful rendition of the iconic anthem by British rock band, The Verve, a song which has sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK. Gradually growing from her piano intro to a full band sound, her vocals soared as she belted the song’s signature “Have you ever been down?”
Performing covers is not unusual for Mayberry, who has previously taken on Nena’s ‘99 Luftballons’, Depeche Mode’s ‘Personal Jesus’, The 1975’s ‘Paris’, and Spice Girls’ ‘Viva Forever’. Her ability to seamlessly transition between electronic anthems and stripped-down performances underscores her versatility as an artist.
As she embarks on this new phase of her career, Mayberry’s commitment to both her solo work and CHVRCHES ensures that fans will continue to experience her artistry in multiple forms.
