The stage overflowing with white daisies along the edge, Maggie Rogers embodied the spirit of feral joy on the final night of the U.K. tour leg of the “Feral Joy” tour at the Alexandra Palace in London. In the midst of hectic train strikes and delays, 10,000 dedicated fans showed up to what Londoners call the “Ally Pally” in time for the performance.
Opening the show was native New Yorker and alternative artist, Samia, who set the vibe perfectly for a Maggie Rogers show. Samia described her set as consisting of mostly sad music, and sad music disguised as happy music, which entertained the crowd. Performing songs such as “Mad at Me” from her upcoming record to be released in early 2023, “Honey,” and my personal favorite “Fit N Full” from her first piece of work, The Baby, Samia served a mix of pure early 2000s girl pop and late 90s Mazzy Star. She clearly felt right at home on stage, flailed her arms, and danced like nobody was watching. I am absolutely tempted to buy a ticket to her show in Brooklyn in the new year.
The concert hall was buzzing with excitement when the lights turned down and the band appeared on stage, all dressed in uniform. Rogers opened the show with the opening track, “Overdrive” on her second record, Surrender. The energy levels were high, and the audience could easily feel the excitement of Rogers and her band as soon as she hit the stage.
I had seen Rogers back in 2019 at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and had been aching to see her again ever since the pandemic, but her vocals and performance made the long wait worthwhile. With upbeat tracks such as “Want Want” and “Shatter,” Maggie is a force to be reckoned with.
The 28-year-old’s energy was consistent throughout the entire gig. Humble and grateful, Maggie made a point of appreciating every moment on stage after nearly three years of a live music drought due to COVID-19. In the second half of the show, a beautiful moment occurred, when fans put on their smartphone flashlights to one of the album’s ballads “Begging For Rain,” creating a sea of iPhone candlelight amongst the crowd. Maggie’s deep appreciation showed during her next song “Horses,” as she reacted to the beautiful moment that had just happened.
Maggie’s passion for music, her craft of performance, and her love for her fans were evident. “There are these moments on this tour, where we get to play music again, and for a second there’s just so much and it comes out all at once.” Maggie wept as she restarted the song once again, allowing the audience to re-appreciate the sentimental moment of living in the moment and being in a crowd at a live show again. This moment brings the audience even closer together, and it felt so sincerely special to be a part of it.
Along with her set where Rogers sprinkled in a few songs from her first album, Heard It In A Past Life, she played fan favorite “Dog Years,” a song from her very first EP, Now That the Light Is Fading. The pan-tap percussion introduction influenced a roar from the audience. It was an emotional experience! Maggie’s energy on stage is unlike any other performer I have seen. Wrapping up the set, she sang singles “Light On” and “That’s Where I Am.” “Light On” was clearly the crowd’s comfort song, it was the first song I had heard of hers and the one that changed the game for her. The familiar guitar chords began, and the song felt like a three-year-long anticipated hug.
Maggie encored with the beloved song “Fallingwater” and “Different Kind of World.” The show ended on a note where the heavy weight of the world and the problems in our lives were lifted off everyone’s shoulders.
Being at a Maggie show once again meant the everlasting end-of-show tradition of dancing to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston when the lights came up to bring us home.
Maggie heads back to the states for her U.S. leg of the “Feral Joy” tour this upcoming February, featuring support act Del Water Gap. It’s a show you don’t want to miss out on!