“I’ve been told I’m an aggressive singer. My response to that? Correct.” When Gracie Lawrence gave this line to a sold-out crowd at MGM Music Hall in Boston, it wasn’t just a quip, it was a declaration. For all the recent social media discourse about her vocal style, Gracie is proudly embracing her theater kid energy and at times over-the-top vocals. Saturday night’s audience was here for every moment of it.
The evening began with Stephen Day, who’s riding high on the August release of his latest album, Gold Mine. Day’s set demonstrated why he was the perfect choice to open this tour, including a surprisingly well-received performance of his new holiday track “It’s Christmas All Over.” While November 2nd might seem premature for Christmas music, the crowd’s enthusiastic response suggested otherwise. Day closed his set with his hit “Hey Lady,” showcasing his impressive vocal range and getting the entire venue dancing.
When Lawrence took the stage, it was immediately apparent that this wasn’t the same band that I saw co-headline a tour with Misterwives at Leader Bank Pavilion two years ago. The production value escalated dramatically, from the elaborate set design to the pre-recorded Family Business teaser videos playing throughout the show. Yet amid all the elevated production, the band’s infectious energy – their signature trait – remained wonderfully intact. While their style can be overwhelming at times, the connection between Lawrence and their fans was undeniable.
The setlist was a carefully curated journey through their discography, featuring tracks from their latest album Family Business alongside beloved hits from the Hotel TV era and beyond. In a particularly memorable moment, the crowd’s cheers determined which song would be performed next, with “Freckles” from Hotel TV winning the live poll.
During the show, Gracie addressed what some might consider the album’s greatest challenge – its varied musical styles. “We worried about how different each song felt on Family Business,” she admitted. “But what we’ve learned from you all is that this variety is exactly what you love about the album.” This diversity was on full display throughout the night, from high-energy brass-heavy numbers to intimate emotional moments.
One of the evening’s most powerful sequences came when the band seamlessly wove “Funeral” into the middle of “Death of Me.” The venue fell into complete silence as Clyde and Gracie performed “Funeral” as a duo, demonstrating Gracie’s commanding stage presence and the audience’s rapt attention.
The band even managed to work in a cover of NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me,” giving their talented brass section a chance to shine while the entire audience belted out the familiar lyrics. As a nice touch to celebrate the tour’s final stop, Lawrence treated Boston to a double encore: their classic “Heartburn Song” followed by “Watcha Want,” their recent breakthrough into the Top 40 – an impressive achievement for an independent band.
For this brother-sister duo and their six-piece backing band (or as they call it: their chosen family), the future looks brighter than ever as they truly embody the title of their album. This band really is a family business in every sense of the word.
Check out all of Hannah’s photos from the show below.
