Dodie’s Not for Lack of Trying Tour at First Avenue

It’s been a long and heavy season here in the Twin Cities. The air is thick with a feeling that history books will surely be able to name better than I. All that to say, Dodie with her deeply personal and emotionally transparent songs came perfectly timed to First Ave.

The evening opened with solo guitarist Andy Louis, a musician born & raised in Paris, France a fact he sweetly shared with the audience before launching into his second song of the evening lyrics in his native language. His sound was so sweet and honest - if I closed my eyes I could imagine sitting on the street at a cafe in Paris with waves his Andy’s melodies wafting over me. Utterly charming stage presence and a smile that lite up the stage. Andy gushed in thanks to the crowd and noted he’s not quite used to playing shows this big and he’s still getting used to it. A terrific opener to the evening and a great pick from Dodie’s team. A smooth opening to the evening.

Then Dodie takes the stage, our queen of whimsy and melancholy. Dodie started the set delightfully skipping about dancing, twirling, inviting us to let loose and welcome in joy as the set began. 

I have to admit that as someone who has struggled with seasonal sadness this winter especially, I was surprised for her to come out so joyous and not right into the depths of sorrows, and it was beautiful. She playfully asked the audience, ‘Do you like my outfit?’ which was met with applause and cheers, ‘I like yours too!’ she replied. A reminder that there is goodness and feeling joy is encouraged. 

Dodie gave us a full spectrum of feelings and emotional range through song which was strongly accompanied by a terrific  lighting design. Dancing at times, shouting at others, sitting on stage drenched in a sea of blue. A single spot to highlight the singularity of the emotion and depth of  lyrics, then bringing it all together again with the stage and ensemble aglow. 

At one time remarking, ‘I wrote this song about what I think happiness feels like and I think I was pretty dang close,’ before settling into Now a song from her new album, inviting us into an introspection of what happiness might feel like to the listener. Immediately following Dodie shared with us one of her older songs, When, one that she says she will always play. ‘I listen to what she has to say. She’s not doing great, but I’m doing better,’ she says of the song released in 2016.

My sad girl soul needed this evening and I could see it on other faces that they did too. As the final notes faded at First Avenue, the room felt lighter somehow — a reminder that sometimes simply trying, and sharing that effort together, is more than enough.