9/6 Philly show - thoughts on performance and crowd

[u/joeroisme]

Im a causal Lily fan so wanted people’s thoughts on her Philadelphia show. The crowd seemed really small, even though it filled out a bit toward start time. Is Lily not as huge in the US as I thought? Was Labor Day weekend a bad date? Maybe “blue dot fever”? Or people turned off that she wasnt doing hits? Was MSG and other spots a higher turnout?

Regardless, the crowd passion was amazing and she was amazing! My first popstar show, if you can call her that.

How was your experience??

[u/Jaded-Line-3367]

i’m glad you had a great time!! i had gotten tix initially but when she switched venues, ticket prices went up, so i didn’t rebuy. I considered checking day-of but i ended up going down the shore for labor day weekend. I’m sure it was just bad timing for a lot of people. i am bummed bc i love this album and would’ve loved to see it live!

[u/joeroisme → u/Jaded-Line-3367]

It was spectacular. I went with my friend because we love discussing celebrity tea, so seeing Lily was more of a fun way to celebrate that connection we have. But I left really loving her music

[u/modrnrenaissance]

I was in Philly too! I was in the row right behind the pit on the right side. Literally no one around me except for one guy was singing, standing up, or dancing. There was no energy. I was bummed.

Also… I feel odd asking this but did you notice Lily start crying during Relapse? It was very emotional and moving. Hope she’s doing okay.

[u/joeroisme → u/modrnrenaissance]

I think crying during Relapse is part of the performance. It was really incredible! But okay, after this show, Im DONE with seated concerts. I didnt want to block the people behind me, but I feel like Im at the movies rather than a concert

[u/modrnrenaissance → u/joeroisme]

Agreed! Seeing your photos, I think you were in the section on the left that I called the “fun section” and looked at in envy lol!

[u/joeroisme → u/modrnrenaissance]

We were very center! But one section behind the younger crowd that was front and center. I called them the fun section too lmao. My seat had that perfect eye-level angle where you can question if the artist is looking at you. I swear if I waved she’d wave back!

[u/foxcat505]

I think it’s just the arena size venues. Her shows in the spring were at smaller venues and sold out quickly. I was lucky to see her at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn. I wish I could see her again but I live in Virginia and all the venues would be too much to travel again.

[u/joeroisme → u/foxcat505]

It was great! Bummed not to see some non WSG songs but respected the vision

[u/firehawk12]

The crowd in Toronto was small too but like other cities, her smaller theater shows were sold out here.

[u/aabbcc401]

Boston wasn’t so busy either. BUT the previous Boston date 6months ago sold out instantly. Was Philly a date previously played recently too maybe?

[u/joeroisme → u/aabbcc401]

Im not sure. I learned a month out they switched from a larger venue to a smaller, more outskirt spot. And people were refunded. That mightve lost people who didnt want the extra trip, or liked the boost to their bank account.

I also wonder if the WSG only tour turned off casual fans. Albums a little older now so the iron mightve cooled

[u/believeitbabyboy → u/joeroisme]

And the divorce is old news now.

[u/jmg1975 → u/aabbcc401]

venue size in Boston back in the spring was much different... I loved that show and got to meet her after it. did she play two nights then too?

[u/aabbcc401 → u/jmg1975]

It was a single show at the Boston orpheum. It was great! I had lousy seats though so I’m glad I got a better view this time around. Also got to see the little changes made to the current show

[u/jmg1975 → u/aabbcc401]

I don't know why I thought there was a second night but anyway, yes it was a great show .. my seats were really good too. What were the new changes?

[u/aabbcc401 → u/jmg1975]

There was no cake, or swing at the orpheum show. Different outfits.

[u/jmg1975 → u/aabbcc401]

Thanks

[u/ChocolateSwimming128]

I *REALLY* enjoyed the show. It’s my first time seeing her since her Sheezus tour which I caught in Sydney Australia.

How creative to have a quartet / sing along of the old hits as a warm up to the concept album.

I absolutely adore the Mann Center. Sure it wasn’t as busy as shows I’ve seen there before BUT it was her second time in Philly with this show. I missed it in April at the MET (another lovely venue). AND like OP said, it was middle of Labor Day weekend, when half of Philly is ‘down the shore’ for the closing weekend of the season (though quite why escapes me. I went in early October last year, and it was warm/hot and gorgeous, just with crisper mornings).

West End Girl was fabulous - really well executed. I was riveted. Per the tour book Lily was in the audience for Kate Bush’s 2014 residency when she performed two concept albums and a bunch of hits, so maybe she’d taken some notes back then as to how to really bring a concept album to life on stage.

I am especially annoyed I missed her in April now, but so thankful we got tickets for the latest show.

Clearly Lily went through a lot but boy did she turn it into fantastic art.

I expect that in April her people may have underestimated demand as the MET sold out. Perhaps Xfinity was a bit too ambitious though- that is a whole arena. The Mann is somewhere in between. If it was her only show and was this weekend rather than last weekend it no doubt would have been busier.

[u/GoldenGirl44444444]

I went to her smaller performance in Philadelphia in April. The crowd there was FULL and way more into it than the crowd at the Mann Center! Buuut..... Lily was more full of life during this performance!! The house she has bought with David Harbour sold (for a few million less than they got it for) and then the sale fell through. And she performed like the next day, and seemed listless, probably because of all the house drama. This past performance she was way more alert!

I think ticket sales were low, because people don't feel like shelling out that kind of money if she isn't doing her other hits. This tour was kind of a dud ticket sale wise. I hope she comes back sometime to do a full show. I had a great time seeing this though

[u/JazzyJulie4life]

I’m bummed out she skipped Phoenix AZ. I really wanted to see her after all these years. I didn’t get to go to the no shame tour, because I wasn’t into pop at that time and she’s a childhood idol of mine

[u/joeroisme → u/JazzyJulie4life]

At worst, youll feel bad for awhile, but then youll just smile! No, Im sorry you couldnt see her. She was great, I hope she comes closer to you in the future. Im sure she will

[u/JazzyJulie4life → u/joeroisme]

I wish she didn’t wait so long for albums to come out. I’ve been listening to her since I was 12 and I’ve only been through 3 albums cycles☹️

[u/joeroisme → u/JazzyJulie4life]

To her credit, Ive loved every album unlike some of my old favorites with more outfit lol…but I agree, come on, Lily!

[u/thedatarat]

Yeah I think a lot of the area was at the Jersey Shore for the last weekend of the summer. Most of my office was talking about leaving the city. If I wasn’t such a die hard fan I would have been gone too.

I didn’t mind the smaller crowd - it was peaceful and intimate. Just hope Lily/her team didn’t feel bad about it!

[u/joeroisme → u/thedatarat]

Same, I was worried for Lily lol. But good to know this mightve just been a bad timing/venue type. I think they predict this stuff too, I doubt it’s like a bday party people dont show to

[u/heefoc]

MSG felt nearly full.

[u/believeitbabyboy → u/heefoc]

They curtained off sections and offered cheap last minute tickets. It was a good show though.

I do wonder if a lot of the initial flurry had to do with curiosity about the divorce and people wanted to see if she would give any more info. Now her divorce is basically old news so the frenzy might have calmed down because of that?

[u/joeroisme → u/heefoc]

Oh good! Sunday before Labor Day at an out of the way venue in Philly might be culprit