Katie Gavin’s “What A Relief” Tour is more than just a series of concerts—it’s a sensory and emotional experience. On December 14, Gavin returned to Boston’s Brighton Music Hall, the same venue where she performed as the lead vocalist of MUNA in 2017. This time, she headlined a sold-out show, captivating the audience with her humor, charm, and profoundly personal artistry. While MUNA’s music is renowned for its polished production, anthemic choruses, and collaborative energy, Gavin’s solo work brings a raw, introspective intimacy that offers fans a different side of her artistry. With MUNA, Gavin’s voice is often part of a larger narrative, blending seamlessly with Naomi McPherson and Josette Maskin’s contributions to creating deeply personal and widely relatable songs. Tracks like “Silk Chiffon” and “Stayaway” carry a bold, danceable energy, often exploring themes of queer identity and heartbreak through a communal lens. In contrast, Gavin’s solo work feels more like a diary shared in confidence.
Dressed in casual attire yet exuding undeniable charisma, Gavin immediately set the tone for the night by burning incense onstage, creating an atmosphere of calm and anticipation. Her entrance was as quirky as it was mesmerizing. She walked onstage carrying a strawberry teapot, pouring tea for herself and her guitarist, Nana Adjoa. The teapot, she later revealed, was from World Market, a tidbit shared during the many candid and conversational moments that defined the evening.
Like her debut album, the show flowed like an intimate conversation, each song unraveling layers of vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery. Gavin’s lyrical prowess shone as she tackled themes of love, identity, and personal growth with an honesty that resonated deeply with the audience. Performances were imbued with lush instrumentation, from delicate guitar strums to swelling fiddle strings, creating an intimate yet expansive soundscape.
Gavin’s connection with the audience was undeniable, and the night often felt like a two-way dialogue rather than a performance. Fans eagerly peppered her with questions, which she embraced with humor and spontaneity. At one point, after a flood of inquiries, she laughed and said, “I’m gonna play a song now, but I do like it.” Among her revelations, she delighted fans by confirming a new MUNA record was on the way and shared that her favorite Taylor Swift album is “Speak Now.”
Her setlist seamlessly blended emotional vulnerability and playful moments. During “Inconsolable,” a crowd member unexpectedly threw a lizard onstage, a bizarre yet memorable moment Gavin handled gracefully. She tied it back to the song’s poignant lyrics about resilience and emotional growth: “But I’ve seen baby lizards running in the river when they open their eyes / Even though no one taught them how or why / So maybe when you kiss me, I can let you see me cry / And if we keep going by the feeling, we can get by.”
Gavin’s “Sanitize” performance and its introduction offered a thoughtful reflection on comphet (compulsory heterosexuality), blending humor with introspection. Later in the set, “The Baton” provided one of the evening’s standout moments, with Gavin taking up the fiddle for a performance that underscored the song’s themes of legacy and growth. Its message echoed a poignant line from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie: “We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they’ve come.” Encouraging the crowd to clap during the instrumental sections, Gavin paused mid-song to laugh at herself for getting distracted before returning with an exhilarating fiddle solo that reignited the room’s energy.
Another night highlight was Gavin’s duet with Adjoa on “She Gives Me Feelings,” their harmonies wrapping the venue in an ethereal warmth. Later, Gavin introduced a hauntingly beautiful element to the set by playing the shruti box during “Sweet Abby Girl,” adding a resonating depth to the performance.
Gavin’s connection to her fans extends beyond the stage and into the world of podcasting, where she co-hosts “Gayotic” alongside her MUNA bandmates. Playfully referencing the podcast, Gavin admitted, “Sometimes, if I am missing Naomi and Josette, I will listen to it. But don’t tell them that.” When a fan boldly asked who she missed more, Gavin’s quick-witted response—“You’re f—cked. Thank you for being such a great crowd, seriously”—brought the house down.
With her unique ability to balance heartfelt storytelling, musicality, and candid humor, Gavin’s “What A Relief” Tour isn’t just a concert but a testament to her artistry and profound bond with her fans.
