Lauren Mayberry Covers “Like a Prayer,” Debuts New Songs

CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry has performed her very first solo show, featuring a nine-song setlist that included new, unreleased tunes and a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” Check out the full setlist and watch videos of the performance below.

The show took place on Monday, September 4th, at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, and marked the first live performance from Mayberry since she announced earlier this year that she would begin releasing solo music. Joined by a three-piece band, her new songs came to life with floral stage decorations, high-energy arrangements, and plenty of space for her bright, clear voice to carry the melodies.

Some songs, like the opener “Bird,” had a driving feel, with ’80s-pop-esque instrumentation. Others, like the closing number “Sorry, Etc.” had a harder, punk-ish feel, with Mayberry shout-singing “I’m sorry, et cetera” on repeat. The Madonna cover came near the end of the set, and began with a jazzy piano intro before opening up into a full-on synth-bop, with Mayberry hopping around the stage, tambourine in hand.

After “Like a Prayer,” Mayberry and her band delivered a rendition of her first — and currently, only — single, “Are You Awake?” Starting with Mayberry solo at the piano, the melancholic ballad crescendoed into an ethereal blossom of sound, as she crooned, “Some feelings don’t fade away with space and time/ It’s a state of mind.” The song was co-written with Tobias Jesso Jr. and Matthew Koma, and was released last Friday, September 1st.

Meanwhile, Mayberry’s tour continues. Up next, she’s set to open a few dates for The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie on their ongoing co-headlining tour. Then, she’ll continue with a run of shows in the United States and Europe, stretching through the end of October. Check out the full list of dates, and grab your tickets for her US shows here (or, if you’re across the pond, you can grab tickets for her European dates here).

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