Concert Review: beabadoobee Charms Boston at MGM Music Hall

The excitement was palpable at MGM Music Hall on Sept. 13 as a young crowd awaited beabadoobee’s sold-out Boston show. Born Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus, Filipina-British singer-songwriter beabadoobee garnered attention this summer after opening for Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour." On Aug. 9, she released her most recent album, “This Is How Tomorrow Moves,” off of which four singles were released earlier in the year.

Beabadoobee’s fame began in the midst of the pandemic, when 2020’s “death bed (coffee for your head)” went viral on TikTok. Since then, songs like “Glue Song,” and “the perfect pair” have also gone viral, although to a lesser extent. The crowd was clearly made up of loyal fans, as they sang the lyrics to both her viral songs and her lesser-known ones.

The crowd sang the lyrics to both her viral songs and her lesser-known ones. By Courtesy of John Hughes Curtis

After impressive opening performances from American alt-country duo Hovvdy and American indie-pop singer-songwriter Keni Titus, beabadoobee started her show with “California” from her newest album, followed by “Talk” and “10:36” from 2022’s “Beatopia.” She showcased her instrumental talent, often switching between electric and acoustic guitars for different songs.

Although beabadoobee’s performance was somewhat relaxed, the lively music and the joy emanating from the crowd kept the energy high.

“This song is very special to me, and I hope it’s special to you too,” she said before playing “Take a Bite,” one of the more popular songs from “This Is How Tomorrow Moves.” The crowd was obviously pleased, with the occasional shout of “I love you, Bea!” coming from the floor.

Beabadoobee dedicated one song to her boyfriend, Jake Erland.

“This one goes out to my boyfriend,” she said before playing “Ever Seen,” a love song featuring cute lyrics like, “I can't lie, he has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen.”

Toward the end of her set, beabadoobee brought the energy up with her 2019 hit “She Plays Bass” from her EP “Space Cadet.”

Toward the end of her set, beabadoobee brought the energy up. By Courtesy of John Hughes Curtis

“I'm gonna count, and everyone’s gonna jump,” she instructed as she began the song. “It's gonna be really fun.”

The entire venue seemed to jump up and down as she repeated the catchy chorus and had fun with her bandmates on stage.

The stage design also encouraged the atmosphere and the crowd. For most of the show, a simple white sheet hung from the back of the stage, with lights sometimes revealing the shadows of plants, trees, and other greenery. Then, right before “Beaches,” which beabadoobee described as her favorite song, the sheet dropped — revealing the shrubs that were once hidden.

After beabadoobee played her last song, 2021’s “Cologne,” and walked off stage, a cacophony of shouts, whoops, and more screams of “I love you” pulled her back on for an encore.

“You guys are so loud, it’s so much fun. I especially like when you guys sing along,” she said playfully before singing “Coming Home” from her newest album and 2023’s “the way things go.”

“You guys are so loud, it’s so much fun. I especially like when you guys sing along,” said beabadoobee. By Courtesy of John Hughes Curtis

A bittersweet feeling filled the venue as beabadoobee got ready for her last song of the night.

“You guys make me so happy. Thank you so much for having us. That was so special to me, and I’ll see you soon,” she said as she began the fitting “See you Soon” from “beatopia.”

After she left the stage and the lights illuminated the floor, showgoers stumbled out to a warm September night, clutching their newly bought merchandise — and their friends. After charming Boston, beabadoobee will finish up the American leg of her tour at the end of September, kicking off the European leg in early November.

—Staff writer Najya S. Gause can be reached at najya.gause@thecrimson.com.