Review: CHVRCHES brings their euphoric Screen Violence tour to Western Massachusetts

by Jacklyn Lipscomb

MASS MoCA presents: CHVRCHES August 5h, 2022, in North Adams, Massachusetts.

In the Western Massachusetts hill town of North Adams, the electronic synth-pop trio CHVRCHES completed the first leg of their Screen Violence tour this past Friday night with a final stop at the region’s largest center for contemporary visual art, MASS MoCA. Hailing all the way from Glasgow, Scotland and perfecting their craft since their debut album in 2013, CHVRCHES has solidified their unique pop driven sound and style in a way that completely flourishes in a live music setting. Complete with a series of outfit changes, extended musical interludes between tracks, gripping solos from each of the band members, and front woman Lauren Mayberry’s signature twirls across the stage, the performance was captivating and filled the packed room of nearly 800 adoring fans with a sense of pure euphoria.

After starting off the night’s celebration of 2021’s Screen Violence with the record’s lead single “He Said She Said”, the band effortlessly flowed through a mixture of old and new adrenaline pumping favorites like “Leave A Trace”, “Violent Delights”, “Bury It”, “Miracle”, and even “Recover.” Taking ample breaks between songs to address the avid concertgoers, chatting about tour life, and recalling the day’s events of exploring the museum, it was immediately evident how humbled and appreciative the band was to be up onstage doing what they love.

Even while expressing their gratitude and acknowledging some shouts from the audience, Mayberry had the heart to poke fun at the crowd after a man’s voice proclaimed his love for her, as she slyly remarked how “Suddenly my mother’s voice sounds very deep!” Although the interaction was handled with great poise and light-hearted laughter, perhaps the most noteworthy element to CHVRCHES' music is their portrayal and their willingness to tackle heavy subject matters within the lyrics. Encompassed within the infectiously danceable beats and glittery synths stands themes of misogyny, the pressures of social media, and the psychological impacts of living in our digital age. Mayberry has been candid about her experiences of sexism and online harassment from being in the band for many years, so it is no surprise that these topics are prevalent throughout Screen Violence as a whole. Together with a room full of strangers, there was something cathartic about listening to Mayberry confidently reject stereotypes about women needing to justify themselves in “Good Girls."

“Is it easier when you don't have to start again / When you don't want to make amends ?/ I want to know that feeling / Good girls don’t cry / And good girls don’t lie / And good girls justify but I don’t / Good girls don’t die / And good girls stay alive / And good girls satisfy but I won’t.”

Trading her red and black dresses for simple jean shorts and a shirt for their song “Final Girl”, amongst the biggest fan-favorite sequence was when Mayberry completed the moment by matching some of the audience members with her infamous Final Girl t-shirt. In true horror movie like fashion, she returned to the stage for an anthemic encore with her arms and shirt drenched in fake blood to finish off the set with the tracks “Asking for a Friend”, “The Mother We Share”, and “Clearest Blue.”

Even though MASS MoCA was one of the smallest venues of the tour, CHVRCHES proved that they have the power and skill level to fill any size building- not only with their larger-than-life soundscapes and tremendous stage presence, but also with their exceptionally driven fan-base that would travel as many miles as it takes to see their favorite band right in front of their eyes. Friday night’s performance served as a testament to how deserving they are to have their name in arena lights and one thing remains certain: whether it is your first, third, or even tenth time seeing CHVRCHES live, you will still be walking away at the end of the night with their songs stuck in your head and a boost of serotonin that warms your heart.

Check out the full gallery of CHVRCHES at MASS MoCA below!

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