Country indie-folk star Noah Cyrus stopped at the House of Blues Boston on October 7th on the I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME North American Tour in support of her sophomore album of the same name. The rustic aesthetic of this album inspired fans to wear deep greens, beiges, and muted pastel shirts adorned with vines and leaf decorations. They came perfectly dressed for the occasion as mossy rocks, trees, a mic stand covered in vines, and a woodland background lined the stage, transporting the venue to a mystical forest.
Rising country star Carter Faith kick-started the show with pure charm and vocal prowess. She recently released her first album, Cherry Valley, and performed a range of catchy tracks from it, including “Six String.” She strutted on stage in a white silk slip with a two-piece supporting band. The standout track, “Bar Star,” boasted clever lyricism inspired by her friend who was at the show. The term originates from the experience of looking for an attractive man at a night out at the bar, also known as a bar star. She delivered a dynamic performance, weaving vocal flips and belting moments with a soft falsetto that drew everyone in. She sipped some wine and chatted with the audience between songs to build a bond with them. She shared, “I’m a depressed person. Do we have any depressed people in the house?” eliciting many cheers. During “Grudge,” a song she revealed she wrote “about this mean person who pissed me off a bit,” she had the crowd scream “bitch” in unison, a moment of welcome catharsis. She thanked Cyrus for bringing her along on tour, citing her as a big inspiration and this experience as a dream before departing backstage. Her smooth voice and bubbly personality left fans craving a headline show.
Soon after, the lights dimmed again and the crowd released deafening cheers. Cyrus set the scene, crafting a dramatic and moody entrance by carrying a lit vintage lantern in a flowy folkloric outfit. She wandered around the stage, wistfully looking out into the crowd in a brown bark-textured corset, a cream dress that was exquisitely draped, and luscious brown locks long enough for Rapunzel before she placed the lantern down on a tree. She dove into the album’s opening track “I Saw the Mountains,” immediately captivating the crowd with her lush Americana and folk sound. All eyes were glued to the stage as she sang with an addicting Southern drawl and passionate ache in her voice. Many of her tracks, like “Don’t Put It All on Me,” are a vulnerable reflection on her relationship with her family, which clearly resonated with the crowd who sang back each word emphatically. She paused to welcome new fans who were seeing her for the first time and celebrate those who had been with her for a while. She was a woman of few words, conscious not to break the immersion she was cultivating through her rich storytelling and theatrical performance.
Toward the middle of the set, all the lights turned green and the band began to pluck the ethereal intro to “Man In The Field.” Cyrus picked up the lantern again and used it to mirror the haunting song, which explores themes of searching for a lost time in one’s life. Lighting was another technique she employed to invite the audience to her world, flushing Boston in bright oranges and reds during the track “I Burned LA Down.” She added one perfectly selected cover to the set, “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin, a song that was enhanced by her smoky voice and California upbringing. Her adorable and playful relationship with her fans bubbled up throughout the night as she read posters, put up hand hearts, and caught bracelets fans made for her. She effortlessly weaved between intimate moments and high-energy anthems, such as the track “July.” During this song, she grabbed the mic off the stand, skipped around the stage, belted each note powerfully, and danced with abandon to the rock-inspired melody her band was shredding.
She returned for a mesmerizing two-song encore, ending with the beloved track “XXX,” sending a love letter to the venue with lyrics like “Can’t contain my love…but why would I want to? / I sign every letter with XXX.” Cyrus crafted a show overflowing with storytelling, warm vocals, and spellbinding visuals that enthralled the Boston audience. The thoughtful setlist and attention to detail transformed this night out into an unforgettable spectacle. Cyrus just released the deluxe edition of her album on October 10th, featuring even more dream collaborators like Orville Peck. Listen here. Make sure to catch Noah Cyrus live before the I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME North American Tour ends in Phoenix, AZ, later this month. Buy tickets here.
Check out all of Samantha’s photos from the show below.
