By: Brenna Mata
There’s already something exciting about a Friday night show, but there’s an extra little spark when the venue is just around the corner from your apartment and one of your favorite bands is waiting on the other side of the workday.
That was the feeling walking into 713 Music Hall for LANY’s Houston stop. I had just seen them two weeks earlier in Boston (because apparently one show is never enough when it comes to your favorite artists), but this night still felt completely different.
For two full hours, Paul Klein and Jake Goss of LANY delivered a setlist that felt like it was made for the fans. There were the throwbacks that instantly brought everyone back to the early days, including Super Far and ILYSB. There were deeper cuts, too, like anything 4 u from mama’s boy, which was especially exciting to hear live since it had not been part of previous tours. And of course, the night leaned into the band’s newer material from Soft, giving the show a strong mix of nostalgia and fresh emotion.
Some of the biggest standouts of the night were Last Forever, Make Me Forget, and Sound of Rain. Before they played Destiny, Paul took a moment to talk about how, on tour, he often performs in cities like Denver or Vancouver without really knowing anyone there, but that Houston was different. He shared that his fiancée, Destiny, is from Baytown and that her family was in the room. He even joked, “I guess my future in-laws are here. Hi, everybody.” It was such a small, sweet moment, but it made the show feel personal in a way that only live music can.
That energy carried into the crowd. People were jumping, singing, and fully living in the moment. During songs like ILYSB and Pink Skies, Paul encouraged fans to get on each other’s shoulders, and of course, we understood the assignment. From where I was sitting on the second floor, I could see the whole room moving together and it was one of those moments where you’re analyzing how beautiful it all looks while also trying not to forget that you’re part of it.
The production on this tour also felt like a major step up from past LANY shows. One of the most fun moments came when Paul picked up a camcorder and started filming the audience and himself, with the footage appearing on screen in real time. It added a playful touch that made the crowd feel even more connected to what was happening on stage.
And then there’s Jake. Aside from being the backbone of LANY’s live sound, he brings such an effortless cool to the stage. At the show, he was wearing a yellow Century 21 shirt, which is the kind of fit very few people could pull off and somehow he absolutely did. But beyond the style, his drumming is such a huge part of why these songs hit differently live.
By the time the encore came around, it felt only right that the night ended with XXL. Honestly, it might need to be LANY’s closing song forever. It captures everything their shows are: exciting and bittersweet in the best way. During the song, Paul made his way into the pit to sing with fans, which is something that still feels wild to see in person. It really feels like everyone is in it together.
LANY has a way of making a room feel both massive and intimate at the same time. At 713 Music Hall, that was exactly what happened. Between the packed setlist, the upgraded production, the Houston connection, and a crowd that was fully ready to give the band every ounce of energy back, the night felt like more than just another tour stop. It felt like one of those shows you walk away from wishing you could relive it again.
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