denver’s dream-pop gem, mlady, flooded the stage with emotional honesty and unbridled vulnerability, delivering a performance that was nothing short of mesmerizing. along with their ethereal soundscapes and poignant lyrics, the band brought their signature blend of sweeping textures and heartfelt storytelling.

mlady wasted no time leaving listeners awash in emotion with their new single, “baby water blue”, a water-themed song of yearning. fan favorites like “what’s wrong with me" and “leaves” showcased lead singer hannah beeghly's hauntingly beautiful vocals and versatility as a songwriter, balancing melancholy and a hopeful sense of self-awareness. “proximity”, a personal favorite, demonstrates beeghly’s powerful voice with gratifying octave jumps.

the band's generous use of reverb enveloped the crowd, transported by guitarist andrew bourdonu’s lush chord patterns and steadily carried by sam courdon’s playful basslines.

another highlight of the evening was “sadder days”, a song which delicately explains complicated intimacy in simple terms. the refrain “when i see you, i see angels / when i cry, we cry together / when i see you, i see angels / when you cry, i cry with you” is repeated with a calm frustration.

the band ended their set with a crowd pleaser, “i’m so kinky i’m a dog”, which is as charming and provocative as the name suggests. as you adjust to the minor change in mood, lyrics like “watch me cry on the floor / cause i’m hurt and I’m bored / and i’m bored” remind you that honesty is still at the center of the songs.

what shines through most of all is the band’s chemistry. beeghly excels as a bandleader, and the bandmates’ slight glances amongst each other while locked in with drummer sydney jones’s clinical cymbal hits invite you to lose yourself in every phrase and rhythm.

the urge to simultaneously dance, cry, tilt your head back and slowly sway your palms to the ceiling with eyes closed (an urge i had to put aside to take these photos) emerges only at shows like these. if you get the chance to see mlady live, don’t hesitate—these are the kinds of performances that stay with you.

mlady at goosetown tavern - review & photos

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