After being Clara Amfo’s Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1 with her latest single ‘Push It Down’, L Devine re-emerges and cements herself in the public eye with independence and determination ahead of a new era. Following the release of her 2021 EP Near Life Experience, Devine supported the likes of Ellie Goulding and Holly Humberstone on tour but now returns for a run of headline shows showcasing what she has been up to since her last time on stage. Devine has her priorities set and is prepared to receive the recognition she deserves as an artist with angsty yet meaningful songwriting abilities as she takes control over this new era of musical opportunities.
Entering the stage to the unreleased ‘Eaten Alive’, which will appear on Devine’s highly anticipated studio album, the crowd cheers on the geordie singer whilst eagerly listening to the lyrics to what may be their favourite song on the upcoming release. The energy in the room flows through Devine as her confidence becomes more apparent on stage, allowing her stage presence to reach its full potential.
The catchy guitar riff of another unreleased song ‘If I Don’t Laugh I’ll Cry’ follows smoothly as a transition into the second song of the set as Devine’s raspy tone lists the things in her life which are causing her distress in a jokingly and brush-it-off manner. As the band plays, Devine embodies a confident persona and moves around the stage interacting with the audience, taking in the hype and enjoyment her fans are experiencing hearing these new songs for the first time. Devine swiftly grabs her electric guitar and begins the melodic ‘Laundry Days’, keeping the crowd on their toes with yet another unreleased song which you cannot help but sway and bop along to. The crowd begins picking up the lyrics to the catchy chorus and it is not long until the majority of the room is attempting to sing along.
Devine addresses the crowd and highlights how excited she is to be back in Manchester. “Someone flashed me on stage”, referring to Devine’s last time in the city. “I mean, I am not encouraging that behaviour again but you never know”, she laughs. Back-to-back hits such as ‘Can’t Be You’ and ‘Nervous’ from her 2018 EP Peer Pressure, and ‘Like You Like That’, which fans have been begging to be back on the setlist for a while now are played. The mood in the room quickly changes as everyone sings along to the uptempo songs: the energy from the crowd translates directly onto Devine’s face and performance.
Switching between guitar and synth pad, Devine introduces her latest single, ‘Miscommunikaty’ being released later this month: Devine discusses how it is about disconnection in a world of communication or lack of it. The electronic synth vibe of the song fills the room: anticipation to hear the studio version radiates from the crowd. It can be risky dropping released and well-known songs from a setlist and replacing them somewhat entirely with new unreleased music, yet Devine makes the correct choice as the excitement for these new songs to be released resonates throughout the venue. Songs such as ‘Hater’, ‘PMO’, and ‘On and Off’ present an angsty tone: these songs are some of the more powerful and grittier songs on the setlist and allow Devine to move about the stage and release pent-up anger and frustration in the form of personal music and lyricism.
The mood in the room shifts as a member of the audience passes Devine the Lesbian pride flag. “I guess you all know what song is coming next”, Devine says as the beginning chords to ‘Daughter’ fill the room; the crowd cheers and falls into a melodic silence, embracing Devine’s 2018 queer anthem in all its glory. Hearing back lyrics which may have helped some of the audience come out to their parents, or understand their sexuality more is a rewarding and healing experience. A sense of unity is felt within the room as Devine passionately sings the lyrics: “I’m sorry Miss, I’m in love with your daughter”. As the final chorus approaches, the entire crowd screams the lyrics back at Devine, and a smile appears across her face as a somewhat ‘I’ve made it’ moment.
Concluding the show with her 2023 hit single ‘Push it Down’, Devine does not hold back and screams the lyrics referring to repressing and masking feelings in a relationship: the crowd simultaneously roars the chorus back to her. The passion pours out of Devine as she shreds her guitar and takes her final bow for one of her most energetic and heartfelt performances. These new songs are fueled heavily with drive and Devine’s most inner struggles, yet they come across melodic and some of her best writing and production. This new era is about rejuvenation and independence: Devine has taken reign of her musical freedom and is ready to explore and express this through her creative vision for the upcoming album release. It will be an incredible year for L Devine if she continues these impassioned performances that hold a captivating grip on each audience member.
