Over the past two years, everyone in this crazy world we live in was forced into hiding during the quarantine lockdown that began in March of 2020. Restaurants were closed, movie theaters shut down, nobody was in the club dancing. Throughout the U.S. during the spring and early summer, we all turned the things we always said we would do if we ever had time. Suddenly we had nothing but time.
My time during the lockdown was spent wasting hour after hour diving the deepest rabbit hole on Tik Tok. If you have ever downloaded and spent even a minute on the app, then you know how easy it is to look up and realize your day has flashed by. During my time suck on Tik Tok, I learned all the dances that I will never record for the world to see, simple life hacks that turned out to be hacks themselves, and watching numerous “Karen’s” lose their shit because they thought their ‘freedoms’ were being revoked. Not all was lost during my use on the app because I did discover a number of bands I had never heard of prior to the pandemic.
One band in particular stood out among the others and completely captured my ear for over the last year and a half. I came across a live clip of the band Lawrence singing a previously unreleased original song called “Freckles” and I was just blown away. I had to know more about them. I had to hear more of them.
Lawrence, who is led by siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence and joined by six other members that mostly played together while attending Brown University, is a pop-soul group that has amassed a very intense following due to their relatable songwriting and energetic live shows. After spending months deep-diving their catalog, finding my favorite tracks, and anxiously awaiting their newest album Hotel TV the world began to see a glimpse of a return to normalcy. There are now numerous vaccines to help fight Covid-19 and most Americans are now eligible for a booster too. With social distancing, mask wearing, and the vaccines, music venues and theaters across the country began to reopen earlier in 2021, welcoming patrons for the first time in over a year. With this great news came the announcement that Lawrence was going on tour to promote Hotel TV and Nashville was on the list of dates.
The countdown to December 11th at the newly opened Brooklyn Bowl was set and the seconds could not go faster. Lawrence tapped California-based soul band Proxima Parada as their opener in Nashville, but wanted to give concert goers more bang for their buck. For each stop on the Hotel TV tour the band held an open audition for local musicians to enter in hopes to land a spot on the bill. The Nashville stop brought out some of the best the area has and the submissions did not disappoint. In the end, newly formed Nashville-based Will Rosedale and the lowly entourage took home the honors of opening the night at Brooklyn Bowl for Lawrence.
The Lawrence concert was my first adventure into Brooklyn Bowl and in just one visit has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the best music venues in Nashville. We arrived early and were part of the band’s meet & greet before the show. I will keep the details of that event close to the chest as to not give anything away but I will say that if you find yourself a fan of Lawrence and they make a visit to your city, then by all means throw the extra money down for the meet & greet as it was easily one of my favorite VIP experiences from any concert I have attended.
After dining in the venue’s restaurant (which may just serve the best fried chicken in Nashville), it was time for the show. Will Rosedale and the lowly entourage took the stage first in front of an early arriving sold-out crowd. It was clearly evident before the first note was struck that they had a massive gathering of friends and family in attendance. Rosedale and his posse did what professional wrestlers always try to do and that’s ‘steal the show.’ The soul-pop unit that has only officially released one song and has only been together for a brief time absolutely took full advantage of the opportunity handed them leaving both Proxima Parada and Lawrence questioning to themselves “we have to follow that?”
After some originals and a jazzy cover of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love,” Will Rosedale and the lowly entourage ended their set with their sing-along single “Dad Bod.” I like many in attendance were left wanting more from this Nashville based ensemble.
After a solid, high energy set from Proxima Parada, it was time for Lawrence to deliver their soulful pop sounds like only they can. Clyde and Gracie ripped through ten of the twelve songs from Hotel TV, hits from previous albums and some fun covers that you probably would not hear from another band. One little tasty nugget of their meet & greet is that is where you can hear the two other songs from Hotel TV.
“Casualty” and “It’s Not All About You” both from the Hotel TV kick off the festivities and were followed by the album’s title track before we get the first bizarre cover of the night. I will say that I was a little to old for the ‘nineties and ‘00s cartoons of Nickelodeon when they came out but I genuinely enjoyed hearing them cover the theme song to Hey Arnold! nonetheless.
Lawrence spent the evening owning Nashville for a few hours as they led a very enthusiastic crowd throughout numerous sing-alongs while putting their Randy Newman, Broadway musical inspired songs on full display. Gracie, who has appeared on a Broadway stage in the past, really showed her range on “Shot” from their debut album Breakfast. The power of her Broadway range mixed with the gospel runs she sings so effortlessly make for an immensely powerful force to reckon with. “Freckles” was followed by a very emotional rendition of “Thoughts from the ER(Silver Lining)” from the new album. It was revealed that guitarist Jonny Koh lost his mother during the early days of the pandemic. The sold-out crowd chanted her name after the song uniting over 1200 strangers showing love to an amazing woman that was a champion of her son and his bandmates.
After an incredibly fun cover of Sean Paul’s “Get Busy,” another ride of emotions was taken with the Gracie Lawrence led “The Weather” before the band closed their set with a few more from the new album as well as fan favorites “Do You Wanna Do Nothing With Me?” and personal fave “Make a Move.” The other members of Lawrence not named Clyde or Gracie returned to the stage first for the encore and earned a huge pop from the crowd when Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” started but sadly Clyde shut that down really quick essentially ‘rickrolling’ everyone. The let down did not last long as the band pulled out another classic cover. It wasn’t May but it felt like it for a few minutes as Lawrence performed the *NSYNC hit “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
Nashville has unfortunately become known as the Bachelor/Bachlorette Party Capital of the World over the last few years and although Brooklyn Bowl is a bit of a way from the ‘woo girl’ landing spot that is Broadway, it would not be a night out in Nashville without spotting one and even a Lawrence concert in Music City isn’t safe. Soon to be newlywed Ryan Zimmerman held his bachelor party at the happiest place in Nashville that night and as Gracie told him “fuck you” his party members tossed him in the air as the audience chanted “Ryan” over and over. Sadly, like all bachelor parties the party has to end and the stripper has to go home, but don’t fret boys and girls, Lawrence knows just how to send everyone home happy. Earlier in the night I was able to ask Gracie what her Mount Rushmore of Broadway musicals were and the final song of the night comes from a show that she did not list. After two hours of singing and dancing along the crowd at Brooklyn Bowl was sent out into the cold December Nashville night as Lawrence closed the show with “Tomorrow” from the Tony Award winning show Annie.
One would be hard pressed to find a more energetic band with a better live show than Lawrence. The second leg of the Hotel TV tour kicks off January 13th in Denver and will find the group back in the south with shows in Atlanta and Savannah at the end of April. Tickets are only $20 and you will not find a better value for your dollar in today’s entertainment landscape.
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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