LUCY DACUS GIVES A FEELING THAT LAST FOREVER ON TOUR
Article written by and photos by Kili Goodrich
An ode to lovers. To those who are infatuated with music, and one another. Both combined, created a vibrant energy at Arizona Financial Theater on September 11th in Phoenix, Arizona. All thanks to Lucy Dacus. Those who are lucky know Dacus as one-third of the band Boygenius. The luckiest know her as a solo singer-songwriter from Richmond, Virginia who delivers songs in the most beautifully, honest way.
The stage, dressed as an art museum, held the story-telling for the night. Beautiful gilded frames shown digital art throughout the gracious twenty-one song set list. Kicking off the night was ‘Hot & Heavy.’ An instant crowd favorite that didn’t falter energy in ‘Ankles,’ which it bled into. The transition was a trade of a shimmering gold guitar, for a cup of warm tea held in an Arizona mug. Both decorated Dacus’ rich and buttery tones.
Comfort was Dacus seated on a small platform. ‘Modigliani,’ a longing of intimate friendship, was an intimate performance. Fans held ‘VBS’ dearly. Their voices singing along the lyrics filled the theater. Strangers smiled beside one another with a heart full inamoured with the same bliss. ‘Talk,’ a favorite from Dacus’ latest hit album, Forever Is A Feeling. Cups were full. Yet, the gift kept giving in overflowing amounts.
Halfway through the set list and Dacus began the tune of ‘Best Guess,’ a bet on lasting love. Blooming the tenderness of the song, the singer invited couples onto the stage to dance as she played along. Though this invite was preplanned. The oath to lasting love. As these couples had taken up an offering that the singer had created an opportunity for — marriage. That’s right, Lucy Dacus created a tender, safe space for couples to wed if they had desired to. The song was set as a first dance moment for couples who were about to be married. When the crowd ended, Dacus held signed marriage licenses, a dozen roses. She then officiated the ceremony in front of the crowd. The stuff of dreams.
“The line pulses. Much like my heart. Just thumping inside of my chest. Impatienting beating. Patient with how tender it feels. How to sum up big feelings. How to dissect what organically continues to bloom. Doors that are closed to many have been only open to you, and I like it that way. In this house with you I feel comforted. I feel safe in our walls. Our foundation may have taken its time but because I always knew how beautiful the outcome would be. You are a scoop of light. We’ve been together for four years, and I told you that four years ago my life started. Today, as we are married, our life continues. My heart is so grateful for you. The only sense I can make is that celestial magic woven in the marrow of our bones paired us together long ago. I’m so deeply happy to experience us with you. Forever is a feeling, and I want to feel forever with you.” I said to my wife as Lucy Dacus had married us this very night at that very moment.
Next, "Brando" an autobiographical song about a dramatic high school friendship where a friend, who based his personality on consumed media, tried to mold the narrator into a "scene partner" for his life's movie. Rather than get to know her for who she was. Another treat was Dacus performing her latest new songs, “Bus Back to Richmond,” and “More Than Friends.” New, but not unknown to fans singing each lyric.
The album and tour titled “Forever is a Feeling,” wrapped the set in a silky ribbon. The night wasn’t fully closed. Dacus graced the stage again. The soft whimsy of her vocals coated the Boygenius track, “True Blue.” With one last breath of ease, the singer finally soothed, and roared the night with “Night shift.” A song Dacus said she once wrote in Phoenix on a couch in the green room of the venue Valley Bar. A fan cheered from the crowd and asked for everyone to go to the smaller venue after the show. In which Dacus kindly declined and said “I'm going to bed.” — a feeling commonly felt after a long night of the singer gracing us with velvety tones.
