“Boston is literally my favorite fucking city,” Lauren Sanderson earnestly confessed. “I literally am in love with every single person in this crowd.”
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter took the stage at Paradise Rock Club on her Girl From the Internet Tour on Oct. 30. Sanderson’s audience was mostly sapphic fans who appreciated her message of queer self-love — and her eyebrow piercing and sultry smile.
The artist — now based in Los Angeles — grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana writing pop music with hip hop and R&B influences. When she wasn’t accepted into college, she became a teenage positivity coach and gave a TED Talk about mutual respect between children and their parents at only 19 years old.
Her latest EP “fine ill get in my feelings” released on Oct. 25, reflecting on toxic relationship dependency and her journey of self-acceptance. She previously worked under major labels but now releases music independently.
Sanderson took the stage in a leather jacket, pink corset top and camo mini skirt — a stark contrast from her usual masculine persona. The show’s theme was to dress like the last person you hooked up with, so she took it seriously. “I hope y’all motherfuckers know there’s no other city in the world that could make me put on heels,” she joked. Sanderson later changed into baggy basketball shorts, a marijuana-themed Celtics jersey from a fan and a cheetah print Von Dutch hat.
She kicked off the show with her fun, sexy single “Tongue Tied” off her 2022 album “Death of a Fantasy.” Sanderson jumped around the stage, fluffing her hair and singing directly to audience members. Then, she launched into an energetic “IDC AT ALL,” a track about the head-spinning feelings of heartbreak emphasized by bursting drums. The moment felt cathartic, like queer group therapy.
The artist gave off similar vibes to Reneé Rapp and Billie Eilish – she had an air of confidence and “I don’t give a fuck” energy that was deeply admirable. And her vocals were rich and powerful. My girlfriend speculated that Sanderson isn’t as mainstream as other queer artists because she’s less palatable to the male gaze with her unwavering sense of self and masculine-leaning look.
Sanderson got the crowd rowdy and energized during “Girl From the Internet,” a throbbing electronic track. “Hotel Room” turned the venue into a stress-free dance party with Sanderson’s passionate, raspy belting punctuating the story of a reckless night.
Sanderson chatted with the crowd, surmising that everyone in the venue was either gay or knew someone really gay that dragged them there. She created an intimate and informal environment, addressing the audience like they were close friends. “We should do a tour that’s just Boston 20 times,” she said, after reaching out to hug a group of the crowd. Sanderson added that the night felt like a hometown show.
The artist sang “GAY 4 ME” — her collaboration with Australian singer-songwriter G Flip — with a fan from the audience. They jumped around, hugging and spraying water on the crowd.
She closed out the show with “THERAPY!” — a chaotic, unhinged track about revenge and personal growth.
“You don’t listen to my music unless you wanna do some shit with your life,” Sanderson said. She told the audience that her goal is to travel and tell people they matter. It’s clear that she has been doing just that — and people listen to her.
Lauren Sanderson Online: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music
PHOTO GALLERY BY: Maddie Browning and Mitra Sharif
