Lauren Spencer Smith brought The Art of Being a Mess to Auckland Town Hall, and if anyone walked in expecting a typical pop show, they quickly realised this wasn’t that. The night was stripped back, heartfelt, and refreshingly unpolished, in the best way.
Before Lauren took the stage, support came from two solid openers: UK singer-songwriter Maisy Kay, who delivered a crystal-clear set with plenty of vocal polish, and Aotearoa’s own Cassie Henderson, fresh from The Voice Australia. Cassie brought a good chunk of the crowd with her, front row fans had a flag with her face on it and were singing along from the first note. It was a strong start and set a grounded, intimate tone for the night.
Lauren kicked things off with a run of “IF KARMA DOESN’T GET YOU (I WILL),” “Lighting the Flame” and “28,” easing the audience in with the kind of emotional clarity she’s known for. Her voice sat right at the centre of everything, clean, controlled, and expressive without trying too hard. I’d even say she sounded better live than on her recorded tracks which is a mean feat! The stage setup was simple, and she didn’t need more than that.
The setlist covered every angle of personal chaos and healing, but it never felt too heavy. “Bigger Person,” “WORSE / bridesmaid,” and “Parallel Universe” came early, packing emotional weight but balanced out by moments of humour and connection. At one point she turned to the crowd: “Who’s feeling sad? I love the sad people. I’m a sad girl. Who’s feeling confused?” A few cheers. “So some of us still need to go to therapy — but that’s OK. You need to know how you’re feeling.” That line got a laugh, and summed up the vibe: emotionally honest, but never too serious.
Midway through the show, she clocked a sign in the crowd. “Hey girl, how old are you? 11? I love you, you’re so cute.” The sign read: It’s mine and my auntie’s first concert. We love you, Lauren. She grinned. “My first concert was when I was 11 too — One Direction. Nice to meet you, you’re so cute.” It was a quick moment, but felt personal and completely in-the-moment.
The second half of the show flowed smoothly with crowd favourites like “Best Friend Breakup,” “Narcissist,” “That Part,” and “Flowers,” as well as newer material and a few unreleased moments that showed where she’s headed next. Standouts included “Looking Up,” “Thick Skin,” and “Pray,” all performed with clarity and ease, no gimmicks, just strong songwriting and even stronger delivery.
She closed the night with “Fingers Crossed” and “Sticks & Stones,” two of her most recognised songs, both delivered with quiet confidence and zero overproduction. No big finale, just a strong, self-assured ending that let the music speak for itself.
Lauren Spencer Smith doesn’t need a massive production or a choreographed moment to fill a room. Her strength lies in being exactly who she is, relatable, self-aware, and genuinely engaged with the people who showed up to hear her. Auckland Town Hall felt like more than just a tour stop. It felt like a conversation, one people were glad to be part of.
And at just 22 years old, with a voice that holds this much power and control, it’s clear this is only the beginning.
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