Dear Honeymoon: I Love You, but You Are Not a Small Indie Artist.
When Lana Del Rey released the dates for her tour on a random Tuesday morning, I was surprised to see only 11 dates. I was even more surprised to see that Florida was one of them.
On Sept. 23, the legendary singer-songwriter hit the stage in West Palm Beach for a performance that left her fans spellbound and yearning for more. The event, hosted at iThink Amphitheater, was evidence of Lana's exceptional ability to take her listeners back in time with her vulnerable and intimate songs.
Image Courtesy: Michele Eve Sandberg
Taking the stage at 9:15, I could feel my emotions getting the better of me when I heard her sultry, dreamy voice for the first time. She was dressed in her trademarked white gown, exuding classic Hollywood glamor. Although nearly at the back of the venue, the crowd's atmosphere was electric, screaming so loud, making sure she could hear. The first song of the night was “Norman fucking Rockwell,” followed by “Arcadia” and “A&W,” all taking me to church.
I couldn't help but notice she was speeding through the first few songs. Singing only a verse and the chorus, before I knew we were already six songs into the set. Perfectly blending all her popular songs from several of her albums, the setlist had 18 songs and one cover of "Stand by Your Man" by Tammy Wynette.
Lana's presence on stage captivated the crowd. Her simple yet impactful performance gave her voice and lyrics a chance to shine, but her dancers, band, and backup singers were a huge part of the show. The visuals and production were nothing short of mesmerizing. Displayed on large screens, she often uses vintage film clips to signify her aesthetics of the bygone era and classic Americana.
The visuals for her song “Born to Die” had its own moment and were even more enchanting as it was a mashup of her most iconic musical era. With clips of her on the back of a motorcycle, the glamor of the 1950s or '60s beach culture with surfers, palm trees, classic cars, and pastels all signifying passion, longing, and desire. The audience was also a vital part of the atmosphere and visuals, as there were close-ups of fans singing passionately along with her.
With such a short tour, which concludes on Oct. 3, no new dates currently announced, and performances at such small venues, you would think Lana didn't know she was a prominent artist. Getting tickets for her concert was just another of the countless and tireless Ticketmaster experiences, leaving many fans ticketless and many resellers happy.
Many hope she comes back soon and at a bigger venue because a Lana Del Ray concert is one that all fans should be able to experience. And for the people rocking their white gowns, hoping she'll add “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have - but I have it” to the setlist. Maybe the title is a little more accurate than we realize.
Strike Out,
Morgann Rhule
Boca Raton
Morgann (yes with 2 n’s) is the Web Director and a content writer for Strike Magazine. Her best friends describe her as a shopaholic bookworm who gives the best advice. Born in Jamaica, she wears it proudly with a beaded red, green, and gold necklace she never takes off. You can reach her on insta @morgannrhule or email morgannrhule@gmail.com
