Live review from 22nd Anniversary Festival Day 1:
Drown
Seven
Hideaway
Holly
Feels Like Nothing
Nevergreen
Walk on by
You Look So Fine (Garbage)
Telephone (Blondie)
Avi and Lauren took the stage at The Dairy Bar as a two‑piece band that instantly proved capable of filling the intimate space with a sound that felt both expansive and deeply personal; Avi’s smooth, resonant guitar work paired with Lauren’s deep, soulful voice created an unforgettable combination that carried the audience through a thoughtfully paced set.
They opened with “Drown,” a somber, soulful ballad that immediately drew a few listeners into its emotional current, and after a brief, professional tune‑up they transitioned into the slow‑paced “Seven,” where Avi’s warm, shining tone drenched in tasteful reverb perfectly complemented Lauren’s slightly husky, yearning vocals. The third song, “Hideaway,” recently featured on the radio, picked up the tempo and showcased Avi’s masterful use of the whammy bar together with a deft blend of finger‑picking and chord strumming, while Lauren’s voice rode the upbeat rhythm with an infectious energy. “Holly,” a faster ode to Wanchai, saw Avi’s driving chords propel the track forward as Lauren’s slightly crackly timbre filled the room, adding a gritty yet melodic edge.
The band’s favorite, “Feels Like Nothing,” arrived at a moderate pace, gradually drawing more of the crowd toward the stage; its subtle dynamics; quiet verses swelling into a fuller chorus, which allowed Avi’s nuanced picking and Lauren’s emotive phrasing to shine. With “Nevergreen,” the set took a wistful turn, and a few audience members could be seen swaying to Avi’s lingering, wistful guitar licks that underscored Lauren’s plaintive delivery.
The last original, “Walk On By,” already feels poised to become their debut single, its polished arrangement and memorable hook eliciting enthusiastic applause and signaling strong radio potential. The duo then surprised the audience with a cover of Garbage’s “You Look So Fine,” transforming the grunge‑infused original into an atmospheric, guitar‑driven rendition while Lauren added a fresh, soulful twist that highlighted their ability to reinterpret classics with their own stylistic stamp.
They closed the night with a high‑energy performance of Blondie’s “Hanging on the Telephone,” a fast‑paced number that had the band clearly enjoying themselves on stage; Lauren’s spirited vocal bursts and Avi’s energetic strumming kept the crowd on their feet and left the room buzzing. Overall, the performance was a masterclass in how a duo can command a venue: Avi’s tonal control, from the warm reverb on “Seven” to the expressive whammy‑bar work on “Hideaway”, combined with Lauren’s vocal texture, ranging from crackly vulnerability on “Holly” to confident power on the Blondie cover, created a seamless flow between original material and thoughtfully chosen covers.
While a brief instrumental interlude or subtle percussion could add an extra layer of depth for larger settings, the duo’s chemistry, musicality, and emotional range made the evening a compelling showcase of talent, promising a bright future, especially with “Walk On By” set to become their first single. If you have the chance to see them live again, arrive early; you won’t want to miss a single note of this captivating performance.
– Sherman Leung
