Lawrence Take Over Manchester’s Albert Hall, UK – 20th February 2024: A Soulful Night on Their “Family Business” World Tour

February 21, 2025
International Concert Reviews, UK Concert Reviews
by Michael Bond Photographer/Writer

WORDS AND IMAGES MICHAEL BOND

Lawrence descended on a sold-out Albert Hall as part of their “Family Business World Tour”.

The New York-based siblings, Clyde (singer, pianist, and songwriter) and Gracie Lawrence (lead singer), are currently charging full steam ahead on a tour promoting their 4th studio album Family Business. Along with their six talented bandmates, they’ve been making waves in venues across the globe. Tonight’s performance, in the beautiful setting of a former Methodist Church, felt especially fitting. The space transformed into the “Church of Lawrence,” as the band’s signature blend of pop, soul, and R&B rolled back the years and uplifted the entire audience.

From the moment the band members flooded onto the stage, the energy in the room was palpable. They kicked things off with the album’s title track, “Family Business“, and instantly set the tone. Lead singer Gracie Lawrence’s powerful, jaw-dropping vocals filled the hall, accompanied by a dynamic brass section that elevated the performance to another level. The excitement didn’t falter as they quickly followed up with “Do“ and “I’m Confident That I’m Insecure“, both also taken from their latest album.

As the set progressed, Clyde took center stage and had his own moment to shine, leading the crowd through “Guy I Used To Be”. The performance was followed by a cleverly constructed mashup moment featuring “Death of Me“, which seamlessly flowed into “Funeral” before looping back to “Death of Me”, demonstrating the thoughtful creativity of the band’s live arrangements.

Throughout the night, the set was visually enhanced by office-based props—printer paper boxes, Post-it notes, a landline phone, and desk name plaques—scattered around the stage, a playful nod to the album’s Family Business theme. The attention to detail in this theme continued throughout the show, particularly as the band moved into the acoustic portion of the set, dubbed the “Acoustic Office.” This transition was creatively broken up with a hold music-style instrumental, interrupted by a voiceover: “Your call is important to us, thank you for your patience.”

The acoustic section included stripped-back versions of “The Weather”, a track from their 2021 album Hotel TV, sandwiched between two new tracks, “Promotion” and “Something in the Water”. This section also marked a seamless transition into what the band called the “Main Office,” a full-band, high-energy phase. The transition happened mid-song, making it feel like a unique award show performance—an extra layer to an already dynamic live experience.

Although I had an idea of what to expect from the night, nothing quite prepared me for the sheer power of Gracie’s voice in person. Her vocal range and control were remarkable, and it would be remiss not to highlight how impressive Clyde’s vocal abilities are as well. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with. A cover of NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” was followed by “More”, a throwback to their 2018 album Living Room, and a new track “23″. The main set was rounded off with the soulful “Don’t Lose Sight”.

Just when it seemed like there was no further place for the energy in the room to go, the band returned for an encore. They started with the funky “The Heartburn Song”, before saving one of the best for last—the standout track from the new album, “Whatcha Want”. Gracie’s vocals soared once again, but this final song was a true celebration of the whole band’s talents. It was a collaborative finale, with even the stage crew joining in for a high-energy, joyous performance that felt like a real celebration of R&B, funk, and soul.

Seeing Lawrence live is a testament to their collective talent. Whether it’s the powerful vocals, tight musicianship, or the raw energy radiating from the stage, it feels like nothing can stop these guys from taking over the world.