As a concert photographer who primarily shoots rock and metal concerts, I was intrigued and excited to be able to see Lauren Spencer Smith live and photograph her set. I was captivated by the first song! I knew going into the night that it would be a pleasant surprise, branching out into a new genre of music, but experiencing her voice and the energy in the room surpassed all of my expectations.
If perhaps you're like me and are new to the pop/ballad genre, then let me give you a little intro. Lauren is a Canadian singer-songwriter with a powerhouse voice who weaves stories of heartbreak and personal growth through deeply relatable lyrics and beautiful piano melodies. Her emotional pop ballads have a melancholy feel but also speak empowerment to the listener's ear. I love her rhyming schemes and how effortlessly they make the songs flow—anyone can listen and immediately understand her story from beginning to end. Check out her latest single, "Natural Disaster," which was just released on January 30, 2026, as well as her sophomore album, "The Art of Being A Mess," which came out last June. The Deluxe edition releases February 16th with six new songs. You won't want to miss it!
Maisy Kay
British-born, Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Maisy Kay opened the night with her signature sound, blending cinematic pop with ethereal orchestra elements and electronic textures. She took the stage in a baby-blue, flowy, whimsical dress that highlighted her silhouette beautifully, paired with matching blue boots that elongated her look. Her microphone, adorned with a large bedazzled butterfly, perfectly complemented her enchanting, fairy-like aesthetic.
Maisy's elegant and soft stage presence made her a great choice to open the night. She carried herself so gracefully and with confidence that set the tone for the evening. Her songs eased the audience into the show while still captivating their attention. While many didn't seem to know her music or lyrics yet, her performance and delivery made it easy to see that she likely gained new fans by the end of her set.
Maisy Kay's music reminds me of my days dancing in college. I can easily picture modern, contemporary, or jazz dancers moving fluidly across the stage to her songs. "Karma (Tiesto Version)" leans heavily into the pop electronic sounds, making it a perfect addition to a workout or cleaning playlist when you need to get things done. It has a strong tempo that fits well with a lift session at the gym or a long road run.
Be sure to check out her newest EP release, "Vantablack." Other songs that stood out to me while listening to her playlist were "The Storm," "Somebody You Never Touched,"Death of the Party," and "Almost Touch Me."
Henry Moodie
Young British pop artist? "Yes, please," seemed to be the consensus among many young fans in Dallas, Texas. Emotional pop singer-songwriter Henry Moodie served as one of the opening acts before Lauren took the stage. Henry recently released his debut album, "Mood Swings," last October, and even before its official release, clips of his songs were going viral on social media. I can absolutely see why! He's quite charming and approachable, while his vocals and delivery feel so sincere. I can foresee him blowing up in the alt-pop genre very soon.
If you've recently experienced a breakup, this sad yet beautiful style of music may be exactly what you need. I can easily see his music resonating with young twenty-something college students who are still trying to figure themselves out. Moody, emotional, intimate, and personal, yet also upbeat and catchy. If you enjoy artists like Dean Lewis, Lewis Capaldi, and Jeremy Zucker, you'll love Henry Moodie as well.
Like I mentioned earlier, the crowd—especially the younger fans—was completely captivated by Henry Moodie. During the third song, the atmosphere shifted into a warm, dimly lit ambience as the stage lights dropped and the audience raised their cell phones to illuminate the room. One young girl sat on her parents' shoulders, swaying her phone side to side while watching Henry, completely enraptured by the moment.
Later in the set, he brought out a huge inflatable die and a sign listing some of his top influential artists. A fan from the audience rolled the dice to determine which cover he'd perform. Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" turned into a crowd favorite moment. Henry split the audience down the middle during the pre-chorus; the left side sang, "Boys only want love if it's torture." The right side sang, "Don't say I didn't say I didn't warn ya." Both sides of the audience competed to outdo each other, which made it an electric and memorable moment. I love moments when the audience gets to interact and participate.
Another standout moment was when Henry moved to the piano to play "You Were There For Me" as he dedicated the song to his best friend. It felt as though everyone in the room was reflecting on a meaningful friendship in their lives as he sang. Henry encouraged us to stream the song while driving around with our best friends. It was quite the emotional performance.
The crowd laughed in good humor as Henry shared that "Drunk Text" was inspired by a moment where he had too much to drink (the legal drinking age is 18 in the UK) and nearly texted a close friend, disclosing his feelings for them. I think everyone can relate to the friend zone tension when you're secretly in love with or crushing on a close friend in silence, afraid to change the dynamics of the friendship by sharing your true feelings. Alcohol makes us bold, wanting to write out or proclaim our feelings—only to delete the message due to fear and uncertainty later. Many listeners connected deeply with the vulnerability of "Drunk Text."
The audience sang along to nearly every song, and Henry's performance felt raw and emotionally honest. He carried a quiet confidence on stage—self-assured yet humble—which made his performance feel very genuine and approachable. I know several fans were eager to meet him at the merch table after the show.
If you find yourself in the mood for emotional and acoustic-driven pop, I highly recommend these songs by Henry Moodie: "Mood Swings," "Drunk Text," "You Were There For Me," "Pick Up the Phone," and "Closure."
Lauren Spencer Smith
I arrived at the venue a few minutes early and caught the tail end of Lauren's VIP hangout and found myself smiling as I watched her interact with her fans. She remembered many of their faces and exclaimed that it was so good to see them again. Lauren caught friendship bracelets gifted to her by fans, and she reacted so excitedly to their thoughtful gifts. She radiated bubbly energy and seemed sincere in just enjoying quality time with her loyal fanbase before the show. That moment was my first glimpse of her personality, and it left a strong impression.
Then came her voice when she later took the stage—wow. It was both beautiful and powerful. I was immediately drawn to her personal style as well. She effortlessly blends comfortable and baggy with cute accents, somehow looking both boyish and girly, which I adore. She's often accented with unique details. In Dallas, she rocked some safety pin earrings and a safety-pinned braid with lace-up socks and athletic casual shoes.
Love songs and alt-pop are not typically my go-to when I pull up Spotify, but one night of witnessing Lauren perform live was enough to make me a fan. If you've experienced loss, heartbreak, or growing pains that come with your late teens and twenties, then you'll find comfort in her music.
I enjoyed the slow, intimate atmosphere of the evening. There was no rush, no mosh pits—just a room full of people standing comfortably, singing along to one of their favorite artists. Couples held one another, and friends stood together in close proximity. I will say, fans of Lauren Spencer Smith sang louder than any rock concert I've ever covered before—I was impressed!
One memorable moment from the evening was the "Secrets Box." Fans can find it at the merch table throughout the tour. Attendees are encouraged to leave a secret confession in the box. During the show, Lauren invited a fan to randomly pick a secret for Lauren to read aloud. The moment turned both awkward and funny when Lauren revealed that the anonymous writer admitted to cheating on her husband of two years, prompting a gasp in the audience. Lauren acknowledged her well-known stance on infidelity, having written several songs about the pain of being cheated on, but also kindly expressed admiration to the person who took the first step in admitting their wrongdoing—even anonymously. This emotional moment led into her performance of "Secret," which shares her personal experience with infidelity and betrayal.
Another highlight for me—and I believe for much of the crowd—was hearing "Flowers" performed live. "Flowers" is by far her most played track on streaming music sites, and Lauren shared it's her absolute favorite song she's ever written. As she performed, the audience sang along to every word.
The stage production was elaborate and intimate. Performers were placed right at the edge of the stage, drawing the audience into the performance. The set design included a bench, a payphone that rang with intro audio clips to certain songs, street signs, and a block pyramid that Lauren sat on during more introspective moments. Each element helped tell the story written in her lyrics and helped maintain visual interest on stage. Solo performances can sometimes risk feeling swallowed up by the large stage, but Lauren's set designers clearly understood how to create an environment that enhanced her performance. The show was relatable, emotional, and powerful—I was thoroughly entertained throughout the evening. I highly recommend catching a stop on her tour and experiencing her music live.
Check out her tour dates below:
