Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Avery Anna delivered a raw and heartfelt performance sure to leave attendees’ musical appetites well fed on Nov. 16 at the Majestic Theatre.
From releasing her debut EP “Mood Swings” in 2022 to being featured on artist Sam Barber’s 2024 album “Restless Mind,” the Arizona native is quickly climbing the charts.
The tour highlights her new album, “let go letters,” an experimental LP based on her fans’ struggles with sexual assault, alcoholism and self-confidence. As Anna encouraged her fans to write down their pains, they began to hand-deliver them in the form of letters to her at concerts, and the letter series became a way for fans to open up and take the first step towards letting go.
The concert began with openers Dyland Davidson, who charmed the crowd with jokes between songs, and Jenna Raine, whose effervescent personality lit up the stage.
A profusion of lights accompanied a dramatic entrance by Anna onto stage. Breaking into “Mr. Predictable,” the somber acoustics contrasting starkly with the visuals — Anna, bathed in a warm yellow light resembling the sun, looked more angel than human.
With a short instrumental interlude, the band expertly transitioned into the more incensed “Blame It On My Broken Heart.” Photographers on the balcony frantically pointed their cameras as Anna went back to back with her electric guitarist, Will Larson, and ended up splayed on the floor. On the floor, Anna raised the energy in the room ten-fold.
In “Blonde,” Larson’s guitar oozed with musical mastery. Delivering delicious ear candy in the form of a groovy riff, it was the musical easter egg of the night for all indie lovers.
The energy shifted as Anna solemnly asked the crowd, “Where my girls at?” before breaking into “vanilla,” and then into “GRAVE,” both songs about women’s boundaries being crossed and the fear and resentment that comes with that.
Anna told the crowd between songs that the most common themein the letters she received was sexual assault.
“You should never let someone make you feel bad for saying no,” Anna said.
The night grew more emotional as Anna went on to play more songs off “let go letters” and her debut album “Breakup over Breakfast.” Concert-goers took turns shedding tears at the songs that resonated with them most, the space becoming a refuge for all forms of vulnerability.
Anna closed the night with fan favorite “Indigo.” The crowd swayed as one in the small theatre, and voices meshed together. Finishing the song, she told the crowd it was one of the best nights of her life — and that she wasn’t ready for it to be over.
Anna strummed her guitar and broke into the last chorus of “Indigo” again, the crowd following with unparalleled passion. Tearing up, Anna put the microphone down, held her hands to heart and watched with wet eyes as the crowd belted out the last chorus of the song, bringing the emotional yet empowering night to an end.
