After four months on tour, the singer-songwriter is finally heading home to Mama
By Nalyn Tindall
Alice Phoebe Lou stood alone on the Massey Hall stage for the final night of her three-show Toronto run, closing out her year and tour with emotional reflections and stripped-down performances. On Dec. 18, she remarked on the long and emotional journey, setting the tone for an evening that felt as much like a conversation as it did a concert.
Opening with “Halo,” Lou’s soulful, yodel-like timbre instantly commanded silence from the crowd. Her voice, at once delicate and powerful, blended seamlessly with the acoustic guitar she strummed for the majority of her set, creating a hauntingly intimate atmosphere. Her remarkable vocal range — marked by riffs and introspective melodies — added layers of depth to songs that were both longing and wistful.
Throughout the set, Lou reflected on the emotional weight of the tour’s end. “It’s so surreal to be ending this era,” she said, describing her journey as the “opportunity of a lifetime.” Lou’s gratitude was palpable as she shared her excitement about flying home to her mother after the show, who she hadn’t seen throughout the tour. “Each song is one step closer to Mama,” she joked, her voice wavering with emotion as she acknowledged the bittersweet nature of farewells. Many times throughout the set, she basked in the emotional nature of it all, noting that she might start crying.
After months of touring with a full band, the solo format of the performance highlighted Lou’s ability to captivate an audience with just her voice and instrumental dexterity. Songs like “Driveby,” performed on keys, broke up the string-heavy set and showcased a different side of her artistry. The atmospheric synths added a lush texture, demonstrating her versatility and willingness to experiment. On “Better,” a newer track written during the tour, Lou’s narrative lyricism shone through.
Adding to the night’s intimacy, Danae Greenfield, a member of Clairo’s band, joined Lou on keys for “Open My Door.” Their connection, built over months on the road, was evident by Greenfield’s emotive playing which elevated the performance. Lou’s voice soared unaccompanied before blending seamlessly with Greenfield’s dreamy instrumentation, bolstering one of the most powerful moments of the evening.
Lou’s voice, with its subtle waver, brought an emotional rawness to every note. At times, her vocals seemed to hover above the instrumentation, creating a delicate contrast between vulnerability and strength. She employed a resonant technique of stepping away from the microphone mid-song, allowing her voice to fade and swell naturally. This created a dynamic and immersive listening experience, drawing the audience deeper into her sound.
The night was rounded out with her rendition of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon,” as a nod to her Canadian audience. The crowd erupted in cheers as Lou, with her ethereal voice, made the classic into her own. “This city has seen me the most this year,” she said, referencing her five solo performances in Toronto throughout 2024, promising a triumphant return with “the whole band and then some” in the future.
She closed the set with her most popular song, “Witches,” which perfectly culminated the concert by combining her powerful vocals with the delicate quality of her music in an upbeat and beautiful plea for freedom.
“What a way to end a crazy year for me, thank you all for being a part of it,” remarked Lou before leaving the stage. Massey Hall wasn’t just the final stop of her tour but a celebration of a transformative year, leaving fans with the sense that they had witnessed something truly special.
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