Lætitia Sadier: Live at Kilby Court

*Content warning, brief mentions of domestic violence

“I love Dots N’ Loops!” Shouted a voice in the back of the crowd.

“Yes, but no. Not tonight.”  Replied Lætitia Sadier, former leading lady of the Anglo-French band Stereolab.

After forming the group in 1990, Lætitia was one of 2 members to stay with the band throughout their entire span. After 20 years of being the lead vocalist and writing majority of Stereolab’s lyrics- Sadier began her solo career in 2010 with the release of The Trip. From here on out, she began to collaborate with other artists independently and create music under her own name.

Released just last month, her latest record Rooting for Love explores the traumatized civilizations of Earth. With a focus on evolving from our years of suffering and alienation, Sadier’s lyricism and instrumental complexities create a fantastic album that excites me every time I listen to it.

On the morning tour tickets were sold, I was ready with my 9:59 a.m. alarm and 24tix.com already pulled up. An influential figure in music and an incredibly talented woman- I was not going to miss the chance to see her live. At Kilby Court too? Pinch me, because I might be dreaming.

After weeks of anticipation and listening to her work on repeat, the day finally came. Arriving to the venue, I found myself one of the youngest people there. A majority of the crowd was older Queer generations, reaffirming my beliefs that the music to be played was going to be absolutely brilliant. It was refreshing to see such a respectful crowd with intent to hear great live music, rather than searching for a viral online clip. Opening was Susan James, a California-based artist with years of experience and talent to showcase. Folksy, psychy, and overall beautiful. Her voice carried through the microphone effortlessly- the sound incredibly airy and open as it made its way throughout the room. James put on a peaceful performance that was a great start to the night- setting us up for the woman herself.

All by her lonesome, Lætitia began preparing for her set. Placing her cup of water down, getting her trombone out, tuning her guitar, and ensuring that her mixing board was ready to go- she offered the crowd a soft smile and headed towards the microphone. After arranging her equipment and getting settled in, she asked if it was possible to close the entrance door, wanting to create as intimate of a space as possible. “I like this place, it's perfect,” she commented about Kilby Court- a statement many artists find themselves making when playing the iconic SLC venue.

It was an honor to be in her vicinity: her soft nature, French accent, and overall presence were incredibly charming- hooking my attention from the get-go. She was incredibly shy and bashful, but confident at the same time. Sadier opened the set with her 2015 single Dry Fruit. The music started and I was immediately entranced, admiring her ability to tackle multiple instruments by herself. When she opened her mouth, I began contemplating how I was supposed to return to life as normal after hearing Lætitia Sadier’s vocals live. Her unique voice was beautiful throughout the entire performance- holding so much emotion with every word. The perfection in her artistry made each move feel calculated, but was remarkably natural as she flowed from one thing onto the next.

Despite her next song Protéïformunité being sung in French, I clung onto every sound that left her lips, not to mention the sounds that she was playing too... Like most of her work- the backtrack can stand alone as a song itself. The instrumental interlude halfway through the performance was mesmerizing- certainly a highlight of the night.

*Before her next performance of Don’t Forget You’re Mine, Sadier took a few minutes to discuss the meaning of the song and the experiences she had that led her to create it. Inspired by a woman she had met; the lyrics tell a story of domestic violence written from the perspective of a male offender. Lætitia spoke, sang, and played with such empathy- the whole crowd listening to her with nothing but intent and respect.*

She transitioned the song into Ode To A Keyring, a track she created while in one of her side projects Monade. Stepping away from the microphone, Sadier began moving her body along to the music. Although brief, Lætitia’s interpretive dancing was hypnotic. An artist in her truest form, the singer allowed the music to flow throughout her body as the crowd watched in awe. Her existence filled the entire space, each molecule in the air a working member of her intimate performance. Reaching into another pocket of her wide discography, she then played Reflectors- a track released under Lætitia Sadier Source Ensemble, another side project of hers.

Returning to her newly released album, Lætitia pulled out her looper pedal and began the song Cloud 6. She started off by mixing the basic melody on stage before stepping up to the microphone. Piece by piece, she recorded each layer of the instrumentals. Singing, snapping, humming- each move she made enhanced both the song and the energy in the room. I’ve seen quite a bit of looper action in my day, but nothing will come close to this. One of my favorite performances of the night (and of all time...)- Lætitia 's talent shined through and was incredible to witness.

At this point in the show, I was flabbergasted by her capabilities. Being a huge fan of Lætitia 's work- I already knew how immensely talented she was. However, watching her thrive in her element was striking. She continued using the looper pedal for her next song Panser L’Inacceptable- a treat for all of us in the audience. The song turned from a treat to a full dessert buffet when she pulled out the trombone. I had been eyeing it on the stage all night, an adrenaline rush forming when she finally picked it up. Playing the instrument for a minute or less, she could have easily just included it in the pre-programmed mix. Forever grateful that she didn’t, her brief demonstration of skill was intense and awe-inspiring. The rest of the night was that of a dream as she sang her songs New Moon, La Nageuse Nue, and The Swimm. Each was enchanting, just like everything else she did throughout her entire performance.

Each note played, every lyric sang, and all of her mannerisms were purposeful and full of passion. Aside from her undeniable sonic power, what made the show so spectacular was Lætitia Sadier’s pure love and dedication to her craft. An illustration musician and inspiring woman- it's impossible to not become enthralled with Lætitia Sadier. Her entire discography is deserving of a listen and if you ever find yourself with the opportunity to see her live (especially at Kilby Court), you better do yourself a favor and buy a ticket immediately.