Erin LeCount at Village Undergound
In the pits of Shoreditch, Erin LeCount soars. It’s the final showing of her I Am Digital, I Am Divine tour, ending at home after several European dates. Just 22 years old, LeCount is at the beginning of what is destined to fruit and bloom into a spectacular career. Her musical prowess, both technically and vocally, matched with lyrics that actually have something to say, is proof. Village Underground should be the smallest venue she plays from this moment on.
Under dim lights, a haunting voiceover echoes, taking the crowd through breathing techniques. And they’re gonna need them. Marble Arch plays, and it sounds like tenfold the 700 capacity is singing the words back to her. LeCount gazes out, spinning around ecstatically, as the walls shake. Already, it’s clear she knows what she’s doing. Instruments litter the stage, but it’s only she who plays them: a vocoder, drum pads, loop pedals and keyboards. Manipulating her voice, adding live synths and recording her own live backing vocals, her sound fills the room to bursting. Sweet Fruit is an anthemic track with heavy bass and thick drums. The repetition of “I need someone” in the bridge is hypnotic and has the audience twirling with their eyes closed, lost in the haze. Most of her songs, in fact, would have little trouble filling stadiums. She even covers Frank Ocean’s White Ferrari and Phoebe Bridgers’s I Know the End, putting her own spin on them.
The singer plays a song about female rage (Godspeed), and then one about being followed home (808 Hymn). Machine Ghost talks about disassociation, and Heaven about coming to terms with who you love. She finishes, of course, with Silver Spoon, which discusses class differences in a relationship. It’s refreshing to hear a young artist be so bold and eloquent in what they want to say. LeCount doesn’t shy away from tricky topics, and those here seem eternally grateful. There are tears and nodding heads, hugs and shoulder squeezes; it’s a night of healing. There are screams of support when she clutches a trans pride flag, signed and covered in names of fans, during Heaven, and it is beautiful.
Throughout, LeCount never stops saying thank you. She seems overwhelmed by the love she’s being given. Over and over again, she tells us that this is the greatest feeling she has ever had. She holds hands with the front row and waves to everyone that she can. This was a big show for her, and they’re sure to only get bigger.
Talitha Stowell
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events, visit Erin LeCount’s website here.
Watch the video for 808 HYMN here:
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