With the year winding down, the weather getting colder, and nights getting darker even quicker, Los Angeles has been looking and feeling a bit dreary lately. Luckily, Lauren Ruth Ward decided to splash the town with a bit of color for a night of boisterous fun at the El Rey theater. Her opening acts included the lively Valley Queen and painfully talented Rett Madison – also LA locals both keen on reminding the audience of how supportive Lauren has been to every artist in the LA scene. All in all, the night was saturated in love, color, and queerness – and that was just the beginning.
Before Lauren Ruth Ward took the stage, Rett Madison warmed up the already-full room with soulful folk sounds and an undeniable electric energy. Dressed in a huge trench coat that hid a tight vinyl dress, Rett channeled melancholic poetry with heavy bass moments – occasionally singing alone with her guitar, or backed by a modest band. The highlight of her set came during her song “God Is A Woman” – (nope, not a cover of the Ariana Grande track!) – which was about kissing a girl for the first time and had ten times more emotion as the more famous radio hit. Rett even pulled out a new song written only days before the performance called “Paper Doll Girl,” a beautiful tune allegedly written about coming to terms with Rett’s own gender fluidity. Days later, and I am still thinking about her performance.
Failing to let the momentum of the night drop, local rockers Valley Queen brought the room’s energy to an all-time high, fresh off a fall tour with Social Distortion. Led by frontwoman Natalie Carol, Valley Queen brought a classic rock vibe with modern-sounding vocals. Like their website states, they really do channel the sounds of Fleetwood Mac with a voice reminiscent of something between Florence Welch and perhaps Carly Simon. Their catchy guitar hooks channeled the Pixies and their on-stage energy made them memorable in the type of way that I couldn’t help by make several mental notes during their performance: this is the type of band that can and hopefully will hit it big. Infectious songs like “My Man” and “Supergiant” off their debut album Supergiant should be added to your queue immediately.
It felt like no time had passed at all by the time Lauren Ruth Ward appeared behind the El Rey’s velvet curtains. Never one to miss an opportunity to spice things up, Lauren had decorated the stage with giant glowing mushrooms, artificial grass, and cut-out flowers. Projected on the huge white drop cloth behind her was real-time footage of a splatter artist dropping bits of colorful paint on a swirling canvas; the paint would occasionally move perfectly in sync with the music and it was wonderful. Not unlike experiencing a performance by the Flaming Lips, the night felt a bit like being on drugs despite most of the room being sober.
Dressed in a truly badass plaid suit, Lauren opened her show with four color-coordinated choir singers – one of which was Rett Madison – accompanied by a conductor who tucked herself away in the crowd. At one point, it felt like a dozen people were onstage, tucked behind rainbow lightning bolts, giant mushrooms, or patches of grass, and you couldn’t help but feel like you were invited to the best party in town. The hardcore fans in the audience – including members of Lauren’s French fan club – handed her bouquets of flowers, little mermaid dolls, and other wholesome trinkets; it felt like every single one of them was in perfect synchronicity with her.
In her usual way, Lauren Ruth Ward freely danced around with a hippie sensibility as her rainbow-striped hair was tossed to and fro. Fan favorites “Valhalla,” “Did I Offend You?,” and “Sideways” took the set to the next level as Lauren felt no hesitation in reaching out and touching the crowd, rolling around on the fake grass, and writhing in pain with every emotionally-driven lyric. Her smile glistened under the psychedelic stage lights and flower-shaped nipple pasties glowed through her shirt. Nothing about Lauren Ruth Ward isn’t unbearably cool and authentic. It’s no wonder she’s often compared to legends like Janis Joplin or Robert Plant; whatever it is that makes up the heart and soul of famous singers, Lauren has it.
If you’re ever looking for a pick-me-up that simultaneously feels fresh and classic, new and nostalgic, or personal and universal, catch a Lauren Ruth Ward show. Her electric approach to performance brings color to the world, and you’ll wish you could never leave.
