So… We are starting now with my memories of LP’s ‘Lost in UK’ tour. I don’t remember when I decided to travel for this tour, all I know is that I bought the Leeds ticket and decided to go from there. To Manchester gig (that took place on the 2nd of December at Manchester Academy 2), I was invited by Christina from Germany who did those awesome photo-books of LP’s tours so far. Prior to our meeting in UK we’ve only exchanged emails and messages, however I knew we will go along brilliantly. And we did. Thank you Christina for sharing this journey with me!
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I arrived to Manchester on the 1st December in the evening, my flight was calm, however my fear of flying really kicked in this time. No idea why. I was very thankful to arrive on British soil in one piece. On the next day I went looking for the venue on foot, and it was a huge mistake. The venue was far from my hostel and on top of that, this time people got lucky as they got to gather for the concert inside, so I missed this, and I was walking near the place for an hour or so and still couldn’t find it.
Thankfully LP’s bus arrived and I saw some familiar faces in window of the uni. When I went inside I met many LP fans who travelled from around the Europe, including: France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria & me from Poland. Boys from the band were walking through the uni many times so we took some pics & then the waiting began. I was very nervous but also very excited. I spent fabulous time in a great company, I finally got to meet Christina. It was all very calm, but you could feel the tension was building.
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They opened the door at 7.30 pm. Sadly some people who arrived very late didn’t respect numbers in line and we were pushed with Christina on the very far right of the stage, next to the speakers. The spot wasn’t perfect, but it was still in the front row and I decided to make out of it as much as possible! First there was an opening act in person of Albin Lee Meldau, to be true I didn’t enjoy this set, but after seeing him later in Leeds and in Glasow I blame this on the wrong sound system to his voice. His voice was too sharp and too loud compared to the instruments, and… well, I was waiting for the main star of the evening, that is LP!
She arrived to the stage with her operatic voice to ‘Strange’, it was a perfect entrance, as the whole concert. The atmosphere really reminded me of ‘Under The Bridge’ gig. People were cheering, clapping, dancing, shouting, singing – they truly enjoyed each and every song! I was in the zone, I was so missing those moments with LP on stage that I grasped every possible moment to look at her face and her moves, I almost didn’t notice anyone else on the stage, though boys did a fabulous job as well. I was wondering if LP would recognize me in the crowd or if she will remember me… I got my answer quite quickly.
During third song: ‘Tightrope’, LP was walking through the stage to the left and to our side, to the right. As she was singing her lyrics: ‘Don’t you cry, You don’t know, you’re almost near it’, LP did notice me in the crowd and pointed directly at me. It was such a lovely moment. I was ecstatic… Again I screamed, we had a laugh with Christina and enjoyed the rest of the concert even more. I had a blast during this gig, sang all the songs and danced when there was such possibility. I didn’t take many pictures, I wanted to engrave those moments in my memory instead, and I didn’t want to take my eyes of LP. And even though concert was supposed to last for almost an hour and a half, I knew it’s gonna end way too soon.
As for the setlist, it was more upbeat, LP has chosen mostly her dynamic songs, so I almost didn’t cry, almost, as there is one song that makes me cry each time I hear it, and no, it is not ‘Switchblade’… I am talking about ‘You Want It All’…This song breaks my heart each time I hear it, especially live. You can hear the pain in LP’s voice, you can almost feel it with your whole body. And the lyrics, so incredibly sad and so poetic. Plus knowing the background story to this song, it just makes it even more sad. Despite the pain I feel with this song, it is always a highlight of the night for me, as it is such a puryfing experience, to share those tears and intensity of emotions, and then enjoy the rest of the concert even more… Thank you LP!
Looking at the setlist, I must say, all of the songs made an incredible impact on me, even though I heard them countless times. But LP did give some new spin to some of those. I absolutely loved Tokyo Sunrise, Levitator, No Witness, Muddy Waters and Into the Wild especially! During Someday LP jumped from the stage and went to greet some of her fans, starting from our side. I got to squeeze her hand and respond to her ‘thank you’ with the same words… It was the first time I experienced LP walking next to the barriers to thank her fans during gig and it was a fabulous feeling.
After the gig was over, people quite quickly left the venue. We stayed inside, talked to Monica at the merch station, I got to buy my second LP shirt, and asked Monica to keep LP’s special edition vinyl for me, as I was scared that it will break due to the travelling, I wanted to buy it in Glasgow. Why I mention this? Well, I will unveil everything when I will be writing about Glasgow. Anyway, Monica said to us, that LP is still passing a cold, and that she won’t be coming out to her fans tonight. There wasn’t also any backstage on that night. So we went to the bar located at the uni and spent some fun time with fans who enjoyed LP’s concert, including Epic from France, Ilaria & Justine from Italy, girls from LP UK Official, Magali from France, girls from LP Italia official and many others…
As we were enjoying our time in the bar, I checked my phone, and to my huge surpise I saw a lovely message from LP. I won’t be quoting it (just doesn’t feel right), but it made me feel really special, and I wasn’t sad that we won’t be seeing LP that evening in person. Plus I had my moments during the concert, so it was all good. I was really happy and walked to the hostel with that incredible feeling of joy and excitement. And I was even more excited for the next day and the next gig. And oh boy, LP didn’t dissapoint… But more on that in my next post 🙂
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Now, I will give my voice to Christina, as it’s always fun to read feelings of the person who was with you and shared that special bond of being in the presence of this magnificent artist that is LP. Here’s how Christina remembers that day: “It’s really hard to bring my emotions and experiences in words but I’ll try. For me it was the first time to travel so far to see an artist but for LP no road is too far away! I’ve reached Manchester on Saturday morning and arrived at noon at the Academy2. Her bus right in front of the venue was a clear sign that I was in a right place. The first highlight was to meet Ania in person! She was the reason why I have chosen this concert of LP’s UK-Tour!”.
“I was so happy! And it was a nice place at the Manchester University, as we could sit and wait inside with food, drinks and toilets! It was also nice to see so many fans from all over Europe. Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Poland, Austria and of course UK! It’s so nice that we are all connected because of this amazing person and we should remain this close always. Taking care of each other and standing together. For her! The concert was great! LP was very nice as always, making jokes, talked, danced and made a great show! Her presence and energy was amazing! She always gives everything! But we also heard that she had a cold”.
“(Setlist: Strange, Other People, Tightrope, Up against me, Death Valley, You want it all, Suspicion, Tokio, Switchblade, Levitator, Witness, When we’re High, Someday, Lost on you, Muddy Waters, Into the Wild). At “Someday” she jumped from stage to meet with us, her fans! So kind! She also registered that many of her fans have already been to the previous concerts. And it was also so sweet when she saw Ania in the crowd and waved to her! She is absolutely connected personally with her fans!”
“I spoke with Monica after the concert if it would be possible to meet LP and give her a special gift. But she refused because LP was sick and had to rest. I accepted that! We waited a short time next to the bus but Monica told those who gathered there again that there will be no meet and greet so we left. It was a wonderful day and a great evening and concert!”. Monica said that LP is tucked in her bed with medicine and won’t be coming out. Most of the fans accepted those news having LP’s health in priority. Thank you Christina for sharing your memories of that special day with us.
And now few more quotes about the gig. Kristina (@kristinagarner_): “LP the other day • never have I seen so much talent pour from such a tiny person. I’d also never listened to them before seeing them live and it was like a blind date of dreams ! music is a special thing”. Tom (@toyd87): “Definitely no #muddywater from @iamlpofficial, a different but amazing voice and can she use it smashing out her songs with power and grace!! amazing night, loved every minute of it!”.
Kalpesh (@krana85): “Final gig of the year, and I love it when you’re unexpectedly blown away by such showmanship from a multi-instrumentalist and talented lyricist and a passionate confident artist. Laura’s extensive vocal range and control is utterly wowsers, without any backing vocal assistant, she delivers pure emotion and drama and sounds exactly as it does on her record. Excellent setlist and strong show and enthusiastic crowd. Thanks @iamlpofficial”.
Jacob (@jacob.s.manchester): “Finally got to see LP at her gig in Manchester. Whistles, Ukulele, Harmonica .. just Majestic”. Elliot Crutchley (@ElliotCrutchley): ” incredible night seeing @iamlp! Her voice blew the roof off the damn place!!!”. Geraldine Baybutt (@BaybuttBorsbey1): “Superb concert tonight at Manchester Academy by LP. Fantastic vocal range, superb multi-instrumentalist and a truly talented lyricist. Top quality! Thanks for a great gig once again @iamlp”.
For few official images of LP’s gig and a really great review by 3 Songs & Out click here. My favourite quote: “LP’s lyrics touch on the pain of lost love and they are delivered with an almost western feel of the Johnny Cash’esque pain of a life longed for but not quite achieved”. And one more: “There are few artists who can create something otherworldly and yet familiar to us all in their music and fewer still who have the ability to transmit those feelings to us all on masse, whether it is in a song lyric, a brush stroke or the written word, to be able to transmit an emotion, a heart ache or a fleeting moment of joy is truly a unique ability. LP reminded us all of those moments in her wonderfully crafted vocals and lyrics tonight”.