Live: Låpsley @ Heaven

by | Apr 4, 2016

Holly Lapsley Fletcher, better known simply as Låpsley, is about to make bigger waves than she already has if Wednesday’s Heaven show in London is anything to go by. The Southport, Merseyside native released her debut album Long Way Home just a few weeks ago and was announced this week to be gracing one of the many Glastonbury Festival stages this summer.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Her blend of electronica, soulful vocals, vocoder-pitch-shifted harmonies and strong song-writing demonstrate that she has a unique style that has a place amongst the plethora of new electronic pop acts emerging on the scene.

Appearing on the venue’s high stage cloaked in shadows and back-lit by a zig-zag of neon lights, the 19-year-old appeared in front of two microphones, the purpose of both demonstrated later on in the set.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Kicking off with non-album track Burn, a light synth intro layered with gentle vocals followed-up with a slow heavy beat, Fletcher eased the London crowd into her set as bright lights lit her up. Dressed in a long black dress, her sombre and cool gothic look seemed a perfect fit for the underground venue, a stiffness immediately broken as she addressed her audience for the first time with: “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I ain’t shaved my legs!” in her strong Scouse accent, a laugh rippling across the crowd.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Long Way Home songs Cliff and Falling Short followed, the spectral slow-funk vibe continuing. Last year’s Understudy EP track Dancing had an outing next, hauntingly sparse instrumentation and standout vocals continuing to set out her increasingly distinctive sound.

“Usually I wear quite risqué dresses, but today I went with the safe option” she said, referencing the long black dress she had on and cutting through any conclusions that could have been drawn from it.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley took up position behind a keyboard for Painter from her debut LP next, a clockwork music box sound adding a unique glint to the song.

Chill R&B-tinged Tell Me The Truth made sure everyone was fully aware of the reason for the two-mic setup, with the 19-year-old switching between the mic on her left and that on her right, which was routed through a vocal pitch-shifter, allowing her to perform a male-female duet with herself without any pre-recording.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Disco tune Operator featured a recorded retro vocal harmony harking back to 1950’s American radio commercials and a rather upbeat tone given the song’s downbeat lyrics. “It’s like I’ve got a broken trust” she sings.

“So this next song is the first song I finished for my album” Låpsley said, introducing Station to cheers from a, by now, enraptured crowd. Back to the slower pace the set began with, extensive use of tone shifting and a loop-station allowed for live vocal layering, making for a mesmerising performance of an otherwise minimalist tune.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Disappearing quickly following a couple more from Long Way Home, Fletcher reappeared on the former Adelphi Arches wine-cellar stage for a short encore of Kate Bush classic This Woman’s Work, which she recently recorded for International Women’s Day, and Long Way Home single Hurt Me.

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

Låpsley (Kalpesh Patel)

With the tone of her chat in direct contrast to her music, it’s difficult not to make the Adele comparisons. But if anything, her down-to-earth Merseyside accent and frank talk humanises her and puts her audience at ease.

Låpsley hits the European road for a few dates next before taking the stage at the double-weekender Coachella Festival in Indio, California. US and Canada stops follow before her European summer festival dates including Belgium’s Rock Werchter, Latitude and Glastonbury. She’s back in London in October for a headline show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Live review of Låpsley @ Heaven by Kalpesh Patel on 30th March 2016.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000G41ddtMiHSA” g_name=”LA-psley” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”iptch” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_smooth=”t” f_up=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”640″ height=”480″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”FFFFFFF” btype=”new” bcolor=”#FFFFFF” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”sweep” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” bgtrans=”f” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” target=”_self” ]

Kalpesh has more music photography up on his flickr stream here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingforkate

Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...
The Raven Age @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)

Heirs To The Throne? The Raven Age Blaze Their Own Trail Supporting Iron Maiden At The London Stadium

On a scorching June evening that would culminate with the almighty Iron Maiden setting London Stadium ablaze, the...
Olivia Rodrigo @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Sophia Carey)

Olivia Rodrigo Proves That London Is Her Favourite City At BST Hyde Park 2025

British Summer Time is officially underway in Hyde Park, and the unbearable heatwave will continue to remind us all of...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing