Maude Latour Amazes at Aragon Ballroom
BY ADI COHENI first started listening to Maude Latour in 2019 when she released ‘Superfruit.’ I distinctly remember it coming up on my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify, and rushing to tell my friends that they needed to listen to this song expeditiously. Telling them something along the lines of “she’s making music that sounds like Lorde but a little bit more pop and upbeat.” It was her only song out for a little while and I eagerly awaited more.
It felt like a long time coming one month ago when her debut album Sugar Water was finally released, and better yet, just in time for her appearance on Fletcher’s In Search of the Antidote Tour.
The line to enter the Aragon Ballroom for the second stop of the tour on Saturday night, extended all the way down the block. The sidewalk leading up to the venue was crammed full of excited concert-goers waiting for doors to open. Shortly after filing into the venue, the lights dimmed and Maude Latour entered the stage, kicking off her set with ‘Cursed Romantics.’ A high energy song to match her high excitement to be on that stage. Earlier in the day she had posted on her Instagram story that this was going to be the largest crowd she has ever played to.
You could feel that emotion for the accomplishment within her performance. Her happiness was infectious, and she had a massive smile on her face for the entire show. The second track she played ‘Officially Mine’ kept the high energy going. The way the song builds up is almost ethereal and so much of her music makes you feel like the main character in a movie. The main character moment didn’t end as she launched into the lead single from Sugar Water, ‘Too Slow’ which is the perfect soundtrack for getting ready for a night out with your friends and the feeling of being on top of the world that can accompany that. After those first three tracks wrapped up, I made my way out of the photo pit and found a spot in the back of the crowd to watch the remainder of her performance.
It is really easy to feel a performer's energy when you’re front and center to it, and not every artist is able to maintain that feeling for those further back in the audience. This statement could not be less true of Maude Latour. Her excitement and happiness was palpable and extended all the way to the last row of the venue. At some point, she mentioned to the crowd what she had posted to Instagram, about this being her biggest show to date. You really would never have known it from the way she effortlessly floated across the stage and eventually slowed things down with tracks ‘Lola’ and ‘Whirlpool.’
She picked things back up with ‘Summer of Love’ which I caught myself dancing around to. The synth tones in combination with her dreamy voice creates the most perfect tracks that make you feel like you’re practically invincible and that no matter what happens, you’re going to be just fine. Latour has really nailed down writing music that makes you feel something, the electricity with which she performs them on stage is truly the cherry on top.
At this point, I heard a couple people asking their friends what the name of the song was, you could tell Latour had successfully captured the attention of the audience. She was real and very raw, and pulling things back again with the next track she played, ‘Cosmic Superstar Girl’ definitely helped further captivate the audience. It is an all too relatable track that talks about the heartbreak that comes from a relationship that ended too quickly, but still has dreamy synths that beg you to dance along while you cry. You could almost tell the crowd got the message as they waved their phone flashlights to the beat.
Then the time came for her final song, ‘One More Weekend,’ which, similar to the message of the song, I never wanted to end. It’s another track that perfectly encapsulates that main character energy that so much of her music exudes. She danced around the stage and sang her heart out for the sold out crowd in Chicago and mentioned she would be back soon for a solo show. Which is something I will definitely be attending, and I recommend you do the same.
All in all, she was the perfect warm up for Fletcher who ultimately brought the house down to wrap up the evening, but I am confident Maude Latour is next to do the same. You can feel the passion she has for performing and the connection she maintains with the audience is unrivaled. I cannot wait to continue watching her career progress, the same way I have since 2019.
