Laufey’s night at Scotiabank Arena was an exquisite journey through emotions, jazz, and intimate storytelling. The Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter brought her hauntingly delicate voice and cinematic presence to one of Toronto’s largest venues, transforming the arena into a space that felt both personal and transcendent. From the opening chords of “Clockwork” to the surprise encore of “Above the Chinese Restaurant,” the evening unfolded like a masterfully curated narrative, each act a chapter in a deeply moving musical story.
The show opened with Act 1, immediately immersing the audience in Laufey’s world. “Clockwork” began softly, the piano setting a precise, mesmerizing rhythm as her voice floated effortlessly over it. There was a hush over the crowd, a collective intake of breath as the song’s romantic melancholy washed over the arena. This was a bandless, purely vocal and piano-driven performance at the start, emphasizing Laufey’s extraordinary ability to communicate complex emotion through simplicity.
“Lover Girl” followed, a song that showcased her ability to blend innocence and sophistication in one breath. The arrangement was minimal yet perfectly balanced, the piano supporting her storytelling without ever overshadowing it. Fans leaned forward in their seats, eyes fixed on her, completely absorbed by the intimacy of the performance. “Dreamer” continued this trajectory, a more whimsical and flowing track that felt like stepping into a hazy, impressionist painting. Its melody lingered long after it ended, setting a tone of longing and introspection for the evening.
“Falling Behind” was a subtle pivot, introducing slight tension and wistfulness. It was a reminder of Laufey’s gift for juxtaposing beauty with melancholy, keeping the audience emotionally invested. The song’s understated orchestration let her voice shine in ways that demanded attention, and the quiet hum of audience admiration filled the spaces between notes. “Silver Lining” followed, a song with a gentle resilience. There was a sense of hope woven into the delicate piano chords, a silver thread in the fabric of the night’s narrative.
The first act closed with “Bored” and “Too Little, Too Late,” both tracks carrying a conversational intimacy that felt like private confessions shared with everyone at once. “Bored” had a quiet self-awareness, subtle phrasing that drew the audience into the nuance of every lyric. Meanwhile, “Too Little, Too Late” heightened the emotional stakes, leaving the first act on a note that felt both reflective and anticipatory. By the end of Act 1, it was clear that Laufey wasn’t just performing songs—she was weaving an emotional tapestry that demanded the audience’s full attention.
Act 2 introduced a jazz-infused interlude, beginning with “Seems Like Old Times,” a Carmen Lombardo cover. The band’s inclusion for this section added rich textures, including subtle percussion and soft upright bass lines, creating a warm, classic jazz atmosphere. Laufey’s voice, naturally delicate, was perfectly suited to the jazz stylings, flexible enough to hold nuance in phrasing and strong enough to fill the arena without overpowering the instrumentation.
The next tracks—“Valentine,” “Fragile,” and “While You Were Sleeping”—were jazz versions of her original works, transforming her songs into cinematic, lounge-like experiences. The arrangements were lush yet restrained, allowing her voice to float atop the instrumentation with graceful ease. Each song built on the last, forming a cohesive, dreamlike sequence that invited the audience to sink deeper into the music. There was an air of timelessness in this act, a sense of nostalgia mingled with fresh perspective, showcasing Laufey’s ability to straddle classical jazz and contemporary songwriting effortlessly.
“Let You Break My Heart Again” concluded Act 2, a song that married heartbreak and beauty with devastating precision. The piano’s soft melancholy underscored her vocals, the kind of track where every pause and inflection mattered. It was a quiet peak, a moment where the audience was collectively holding their breath, feeling each lyric as a personal confession. By the close of Act 2, the emotional stakes had been raised, and the crowd was completely enveloped in her world.
Act 3 opened with “Carousel,” a piece that lifted the tempo and mood while maintaining a dreamy, reflective tone. The song’s waltzing rhythm and playful yet haunting melody created a carousel-like motion, as though the audience was being spun gently through memory and imagination. “Forget-Me-Not” followed, a tender song that emphasized the fragility and intimacy that Laufey excels at. Between these two tracks was “Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude),” a brief but enchanting instrumental that bridged Act 3 to the next chapter. The interlude highlighted the band’s subtle musicianship and added cinematic space to the show, letting the audience breathe and absorb the preceding acts.
Act 4 was perhaps the most dynamic section of the night, opening with “Mr. Eclectic,” a song with playful instrumentation and clever lyricism. The track’s jazzy undertones paired with her crystalline vocals created a balance of sophistication and accessibility. “Castle in Hollywood” carried forward the narrative of escapism and longing, its lyrical imagery vivid and cinematic, making the large venue feel as intimate as a living room performance.
“Promise,” “Goddess,” and “Tough Luck” followed, each building in thematic and emotional complexity. “Promise” offered gentle reassurance, while “Goddess” shimmered with ethereal grace. “Tough Luck” provided contrast with a more grounded, heartfelt perspective, bringing a full emotional spectrum to the set. The audience was completely immersed, hanging on every line and melody.
The closing tracks of Act 4, “Snow White” and “From the Start,” carried a sense of reflection and closure, weaving together motifs from earlier songs while providing a satisfying emotional resolution. There was a sense of completeness in the performance, a feeling that the journey had been thoughtful, intentional, and transformative.
Act 5 opened with “Sabotage,” a song that added a hint of playful defiance and contemporary energy, contrasting beautifully with the delicate elegance of previous acts. The audience erupted in applause, energized by the dynamic shift. Laufey’s performance maintained its emotional depth while adding lighter, more mischievous textures.
The encore began with a surprise: “Above the Chinese Restaurant,” a rare track that delighted fans. Its appearance felt like a personal gift to those in attendance, further emphasizing the intimacy and thoughtfulness that characterized the night. The final song, “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self,” was a poignant, tender close, leaving the arena filled with reflection and quiet awe. It was the perfect bookend to a performance that had been as cinematic as it was personal.
Laufey’s stage presence throughout the night was captivating. She moved with quiet confidence, often letting the music speak for itself while maintaining an understated yet magnetic connection with the audience. Her band, perfectly attuned to her dynamics, provided subtle yet intricate accompaniment, enhancing the music without overshadowing it. Every piano flourish, bass line, and drum accent felt intentional, contributing to a cohesive sonic world that felt both expansive and intimate.
The Scotiabank Arena’s acoustics were beautifully suited to Laufey’s performance. Her voice carried effortlessly, whether in soft, breathy moments or soaring passages. The balance between piano, band instrumentation, and vocals was impeccable, allowing each song’s nuance to shine through. Lighting and stage design were minimal but elegant, complementing the music rather than distracting from it. It was a night that relied on artistry and performance rather than spectacle, which suited Laufey’s aesthetic perfectly.
The audience’s reaction was a testament to her impact. Fans were quiet during introspective moments, hanging on every note, then erupting into applause and cheers during crescendos or playful tracks. The intimacy of her storytelling, combined with the grandeur of the arena, created a rare blend of personal and communal experience. People left visibly moved, some lingering in the lobby or sharing their favorite moments with companions, clearly struck by the depth and beauty of what they had just witnessed.
By the end of the night, it was clear that Laufey had delivered a performance that was unforgettable not just for her technical skill, but for the emotional honesty and cinematic quality of her artistry. She seamlessly navigated multiple moods, from intimate piano ballads to lush jazz arrangements, and the audience was taken along every step of the journey. Every act had its own identity while contributing to the larger narrative of the evening, making the concert feel like an immersive story told through music.
Her ability to blend classical jazz influences with contemporary songwriting and personal storytelling is what sets her apart in the modern music landscape. Tracks like “Fragile” and “While You Were Sleeping” showed her command of jazz phrasing, while songs like “Clockwork” and “Dreamer” highlighted her pop sensibility and lyrical maturity. Each song was a careful balance of technical precision and emotional resonance, demonstrating that Laufey is not just a performer but a storyteller and an artist of rare depth.
The encore solidified the night’s impact, leaving the audience in awe and reflective mood. “Above the Chinese Restaurant” was a delightful, unexpected treat, while “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self” provided a deeply personal and emotional closing that resonated long after the final note. Walking out of the arena, it was impossible not to feel that this had been more than a concert—it was a carefully crafted, emotionally immersive experience that showcased the full breadth of Laufey’s artistry.
Setlist:
Act 1
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Clockwork
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Lover Girl
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Dreamer
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Falling Behind
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Silver Lining
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Bored
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Too Little, Too Late
Act 2
8. Seems Like Old Times (Carmen Lombardo cover)
9. Valentine (Jazz version)
10. Fragile (Jazz version)
11. While You Were Sleeping (Jazz version)
12. Let You Break My Heart Again
Act 3
13. Carousel
14. Forget-Me-Not
15. Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude)
Act 4
16. Mr. Eclectic
17. Castle in Hollywood
18. Promise
19. Goddess
20. Tough Luck
21. Snow White
22. From the Start
Act 5
23. Sabotage
Encore
24. Above the Chinese Restaurant (Surprise song)
25. Letter to My 13 Year Old Self
The evening with Laufey at Scotiabank Arena was a stunning display of artistry, emotion, and storytelling. From intimate piano ballads to lush jazz arrangements and playful surprises, every moment felt intentional and immersive. Fans left not only entertained but moved, having witnessed an artist at the peak of her expressive powers, capable of transforming a large arena into a personal, emotional world.