Lawrence is taking care of business on their headlining “Family Business” tour. Before closing up for the season, they sold out Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway for the 31st and final show of this leg.
“It is an honor,” Stephen Day told the crowd as he opened the high energy show for Lawrence. Having recently released his album Goldmine, the setlist highlighted songs from the record, including its title track. The crowd that spanned decades enjoyed swaying and singing along to feel good songs like “Dancing in the Street,” while Day rocked out on his Gretsch guitar. Following a fresh take on a Hall and Oates’ classic, the Nashville independent artist simultaneously closed his set and kicked off the holiday season “a little early” with his latest single “It’s Christmas All Over.”
As the crew transformed the stage into a 80s office space, the crowd was put on a playful hold: “Your call is important to us. All representatives are unavailable, but will be with you as soon as possible,” Clyde and Gracie explained in a voicemail-style recording. In the meantime, the crowd was captivated by Lawrence’s take on the classic DVD screensaver—much like the original, their logo came close but never quite hit the corner, keeping fans in suspense, their cheers and groans following each miss.
Sticking to the retro theme, the crowd was initiated into the family business with a quirky 80s-style training video led by Chief Vocal Officer Gracie and Chairman of the Keyboard Clyde. Beginning in the “Main Office,” and switching to the “Acoustic Office” midway through, the seven piece band fittingly kicked off their 19 song setlist with “Family Business.”
With four albums to choose from, picking a setlist was no easy feat. Clyde shared that they turned to the fans, inviting VIP members to submit song requests, which the crowd then voted on. In Boston, “Freckles” won, to enthusiastic cheers. Other setlist highlights included “23,” “The Heartburn Song,” a soulful cover of *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and “Death of Me.”
Gracie reflected on the writing process for this most recent album, explaining that the songs this time were “a little less upbeat and happy and a little more existential crisis-y.” But the shift resonated with fans, who connected deeply with the music’s themes of doubt. “I think what was so cool about hearing that from our audience is that any musician will tell you the dream is to make the music you want to make. And we get to do that, so thank you for trusting us and supporting us,” Gracie told the crowd.
The crowd support and familial energy was felt throughout the night, but especially during the three part harmony that engaged the entire venue. “I’m not even joking,’ Clyde praised, “this might be the best we’ve heard on the tour.”
Clyde went on to share a heartfelt reflection: “It [“Family Business”] is so much more than just the title of our latest album…We want to thank the most important members of the family business and that is all of you. And I know that’s kind of corny and we joked about it before but it is the absolute truth.”
He continued, “When we started this band, we were literally playing college shows in basements and stuff like that. Just, just a little way down the road from here [at Brown University]. With this exact group of 8 people. And we were wondering how far can we possibly take this weird brand of music that we enjoy playing and this weird approach to the industry that we really wanted to try. And we really didn’t know how far we would be able to take it and it’s really only because of each and every one of you that we’ve been able to take it this entire tour to sold out venues across the entire continent.”
All eyes were on Lawrence for their final song, “Whatcha Want,” which is currently trending on TikTok and recently cracked the Top 40 on Pop Radio. Joined by family, friends, and crew members, the band celebrated a thriving “family business.”
The “Family Business” will open up shop again next year kicking off in Sydney, AU, but you don’t have to wait to join the company. Check out the album now streaming!
