Concert Review: Lights at The Masquerade

Lights brings her "Baby I'm Back" tour to Heaven with special guest tiLLie in support of her new album PEP. Unfortunately, Lights' 18 year-old cat Stanley passed away shortly before the show, but Lights powered through and dedicated the show to his memory. This was Lights' first tour back since 2020, making her return to Atlanta after last playing in 2019.

Absolutely infectious is the easiest way to describe Lights. Catchy ear-worms, tons of charisma, and an obvious joy for performing made it nearly impossible to look away. She was incredibly thankful to be back performing, something she emphasized again and again.

Los Angeles by way of Atlanta musician tiLLie opened up the show. An Atlanta native, tiLLie made her return with a ton of spunk. Self described as "Nightmare Pop," tiLLie was certainly chaotic live. Poppy tunes over dark beats and riffs stood out from most other music I've heard recently. Brushing off her microphone dying early on with a laugh, she got the crowd pumped for the night ahead.

Lights is undoubtably a talented musician. Hopping between guitar, keys, and synth she dominated the front of the stage.  Her vocal ability was also just incredible, swelling with the pop hooks but also staying perfectly in check when needed.

Lights also had two touring musicians with her, Brodie Tavares (guitar, keys) and Jess Bowen (drums, percussion) of The Summer Set. These two are incredibly talented, with Brodie touring with Lights for many years now. Their presence filled out the sound and allowed Lights to not overextend herself.

Stage presence was top notch. Lights had full control, strutting from end to end of the stage, leaping off of the risers, and keeping the audience fully engaged. She had no issue getting fans to dance and sing along to the music.

Production was top notch all night, with plenty of lights and videos to keep the stage alive and well. Three big video walls flanked either side of her backing band, light fixtures mounted to the walls, floor, and ceiling, and color coordinated instruments and outfits all made up a consistent theme. Primary colors were certainly a favorite, with yellow and blue dominating much of the show. 

A packed setlist featured many songs off of PEP and from her back catalogue. At roughly an hour and fifteen minutes long, Lights gave fans plenty of time to party.

          1. Prodigal Daughter

          2. Ice

          3. Salt And Vinegar

          4. Quiet

          5. Up We Go

          6. Siberia

          7. Running With the Boys

          8. Savage

          9. Giants

          10. New Fears

          11. Love Me

          12. Dead End

          13. Beside Myself

          14. Voices Carry

          15. Real Thing

          16. Batshit

          17. Long Live

          18. Okay Okay

          -

          19. Grip

          20. In My Head

There's still time to catch the "Baby I'm Back" tour before its over! A run up the east coast and through middle America is capped off with a show in her native Ontario.

          4/16 Nashville, TN — The Basement East^

          4/17 Carrboro, NC — Cat's Cradle^

          4/19 New York, NY — Irving Plaza^

          4/20 Philadelphia, PA — Theatre of Living Arts^

          4/22 Washington D.C. — 9:30 Club^

          4/23 Boston, MA — Big Night Live^

          4/24 Pittsburg, PA — Mr. Small's Theatre^

          4/25 Columbus, OH — Newport Music Hall^

          4/26 St. Louis, MO — Delmar Hall^

          4/28 Kansas City, MO — Madrid Theatre^

          4/29 Denver, CO — Summit^

          4/30 Salt Lake City, UT — Soundwell^

          5/03 Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater^

          5/04 Chicago, IL — House of Blues^

          5/06 Detroit, MI — Majestic Theater^

          5/07 Toronto, ON — History^

          ^ with tiLLie

I honestly I had no idea what to expect going into this show. I had only heard of Lights in passing, I didn't even listen to any music of hers until the drive up to Atlanta. I was blown away. Fun, energetic, and just plain musically gifted, Lights knows how to put on a show. I cannot recommend seeing her enough.