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Lauren Daigle is charging toward superstardom.
Oh, she’s already at that level — and has been for some time — in the contemporary Christian music genre. Now, however, the rest of the music world is catching on as well thanks in large part to the pop crossover hit “You Say.”
The song — my pick for the best single of 2018 — is an uplifting and hopeful ballad that perfectly showcases Daigle’s soaring vocal work. It stops people in their tracks the first time they hear it, as they try to come to terms with such an awesome display of talent from a woman who, as of yet, is far from being a household name.
But that’s due to change for Daigle, who could end up being Christian music’s next Amy Grant.
Everything seems to be lining up just right for this 27-year-old artist, who is probably one album away from being able to headline major arenas and amphitheaters from coast to coast.
. @Lauren_Daigle opens @thewarfield show RISE UP pic.twitter.com/u0pDrX6RjT
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
That means that fans had better enjoy the opportunity to see the Louisiana native in relatively intimate venues while they still can.
That was likely not lost on the crowd that filled the Warfield theater in San Francisco to capacity on Feb. 22 to see Daigle perform a wonderful 16-song set that ran a little less than two hours.
Daigle and her eight-piece band, featuring three delightful backing vocalists, opened the show with a triumphant version of “Still Raising Stones,” drawing cheers and outreached hands from the audience as she called out “rise up” over and over again.
I hear you say look up child @Lauren_Daigle pic.twitter.com/S90Vi8ZQmx
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
As Daigle belted out the lyrics, with a mixture of power and passion, it was easy to understand why so many people compare her to Adele. They both share similar traits, such as the ability to make just about every song they tackle feel like an anthem.
Daigle can go big with the best of them, managing to take songs to a higher level without seemingly ever breaking a sweat. The Warfield crowd experienced that repeatedly as the singer wowed fans with bold, beautiful versions of “O’ Lord,” “Trust in You,” “Rescue” and, especially, “Tremble” early in the evening.
Trust In You @Lauren_Daigle pic.twitter.com/4k3aigxqP7
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
She’d perform the majority of “Look Up Child,” Daigle’s sophomore studio effort from last year. The album has racked up more than 100,000 in sales in the U.S. alone during its first week on shelves and debuted at No. 3 on the pop charts, the highest spot by a female Christian music artist in more than 20 years. The album was also named best contemporary Christian music album at the Grammy Awards earlier this month.
With only two albums of original material in her catalogue, one might think Daigle wouldn’t have enough material to put together a strong set list for a two-hour show yet.
And one would most certainly be wrong.
What a voice @Lauren_Daigle RESCUE pic.twitter.com/kBTN3TzVRA
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
The single most impressive aspect of the show – well, besides, the sheer beauty of Daigle’s voice – was the overall strength of the set list. There wasn’t a single weak offering to be found, as Daigle kept crooning through one sophisticated pop gem after another.
I can’t wait to see what she’ll be capable of accomplishing once she gets one more studio album under her belt.
. @Lauren_Daigle covers Don't Dream It's Over pic.twitter.com/Ivrp58TkUY
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
The crowd was fully in her corner throughout the night, yet the scene during “You Say” was absolutely stunning to behold. Some knelt and closed their eyes, others held hands and swayed in time, and there were plenty of outstretched hands dotting the crowd. And everyone sang along.
Given that reaction, it’s a bit amazing that the rest of the show didn’t feel anticlimactic. Yet, Daigle didn’t loss an ounce of momentum as she continued through “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” “Something Beautiful” and “Once and for All.”
Wow "Tremble" @Lauren_Daigle @thewarfield pic.twitter.com/9mGK9dx0yI
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
Best song of 2018 @Lauren_Daigle you say. (no. 2 btw might be Pusha T's if u know) pic.twitter.com/DNW0SA8fo9
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) February 23, 2019
Lauren Daigle set list (2/22/18)
- “Still Rolling Stones
- “Look Up Child”
- “O’ Lord”
- “This Girl”
- “Rescue”
- “Tremble”
- “Your Wings”
- “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (Crowded House cover)
- “Love Like This”
- “Losing My Religion” (not the R.E.M. song)
- “How Can It Be’
- “Rebel Heart”
- “You Say”
- “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
- “Something Beautiful” (with “You Say” reprise)
- “Once and for All” (encore)
