Eliza McLamb first came into my life through Binchtopia, a podcast she co-hosted for 5 years, which started during covid and kept many people sane throughout those years. Since discovering the podcast, her music became a part of my life and the lives of so many people throughout the country, and even globally. Her unique stories and opinions of the world are something to be heard and while I am not much of a writer, she can make words sound so special through her music. Bringing her Good Story tour to Minneapolis on Saturday, it wasn’t her first time here in the Twin Cities but a magical night for all who have or have not seen her perform live before. Traveling this time from New York City, Eliza has lived on both coasts of the United States but is no stranger to the midwest. As told on the podcast, McLamb spent time working on various farms throughout the midwest, connecting us to her a bit more.

Opening for McLamb, Oldstar took the stage first - on their final night supporting the tour. It was clear they had a great run on this tour and gained new fans across the eastern half of the country. Originally from Florida, the band now calls New York City home where they work normal jobs (the lead singer is a barista) while making music, and that has payed off. Lead singer, Zane talked throughout the set about how he met McLamb - he has previously been a cat sitter while she’s toured and traveled. Telling the story of how the band got on this tour, he assumed when McLamb said she was going on tour he would be hired to cat-sit once again. Instead, she invited them along to support her. Their biggest touring gig to date.

Oldstar’s music blends a bit of indie rock with southern swampy sounds, even having an electric violinist as a member. Wearing McLamb’s merch, they were clearly excited for their final show and grateful for the opportunity to bring their music further across the country. The lead singer stated this was as far west they had been so far, and a great memory for Minnesota to be that marker for them. Their set had the crowd dancing, cheering and laughing throughout and even singing along to Whiskey, which was just released on March 20.

Eliza came out shortly after, heading straight into Better Song, the lead track on her most recent album Good Story. Not all musicians are able to come on stage and show their authentic selves while presenting their art to a room full of people who only really know them from the internet. But McLamb’s presence felt familiar and comforting, and she had an ease about her that subtly stated this is what she is meant to do. She eased through her set, playing songs from her latest album that look back at her life so far. Some favorites include Forever, Like That, Talisman, and of course Good Story.

While this album takes a deeper look into the stories of her life, McLamb can’t forget about her past life that got her to where she is today. Before starting Lena Grove, a song from an EP she released in 2020, she asked the crowd to make some noise if they were nineteen, and then told them this song was written when she was nineteen and it was a crazy age for her. As the set went on she talked about her last time in Minneapolis, also at the Fine Line last spring. She was comfortable and content on stage, soaking up every second. Wearing an Oldstar t-shirt she invited the violinist on stage to perform Girls I Know alongside her. The rest of Oldstar hung around the back, soaking in the final moments of their first big tour.

Before finishing her set, she paused to take a bit of time talking to the crowd. “It’s a hard time to keep your heart open,” she said. “But you’ve got to keep it open.” McLamb took a moment to look through the crowd, a smile on her face as they looked back at her. She said she had been inspired by Minneapolis, as so many people have these past few months. She reminded everyone of the continuing war on Palestine, she even supports a family financially over there. It is unmistakable she still has hope for a better world, something that seems to slip from our minds in the hustle of everyday, but live music is there to bring us back. Eliza provided a night of comfort, love, and hope for the future by living in the now and enjoying every second.