A therapy session with Lexi Jayde

I discovered Lexi Jayde through her single “Oldest Teenager” when it popped up on my Discover Weekly just over 2 years ago. I remember immediately saving the song — it was catchy, and since it came out during the first few months of the pandemic, it gave me that feeling of driving around the city with my friends that I had been longing for and missing for months. Lexi’s vocals and lyrics seemed like they were made for our generation, so when I learned how small she was as an artist, I was shocked. Since then, I’ve listened to her music here and there. I especially fell in love with her new EP closer to closure (2022), so I was excited to find out she was stopping by for a sold-out show in SF as part of her headline, 7-city “This is Closure” tour.

Lexi Jayde takes the stage at Brick & Mortar Music Hall

Younger fans in flower-patterned midi skirts, platform docs, and off-shoulder tops slowly filled the cozy Brick & Mortar Music Hall, making sure to snap a pic of themselves in front of the marquee before heading inside. Though most of the crowd fit into this group, there was certainly a range of demographics. From parents accompanying their kids, to couples on date night, to a few of Lexi’s hometown friends, I couldn’t really identify any commonality… other than the annoying feeling of heartbreak that existed somewhere within all of us, dying to be released by screaming along to Lexi’s music that night.

The opening act came on promptly at 8:00. Bringing nothing on stage but herself and her white and blue electric guitar, Lindsey Lomis kept us company for about half an hour. Her soulful voice and skillful runs filled the hall and were often followed by whoops and cheers from the attentive crowd. Though Lindsey wasn’t a well-known name for many of the fans in the audience (only opening for Lexi’s Phoenix and San Francisco shows), their support for the singer-songwriter showed as they listened while she sang, and appropriately hyped her up during her instrumental moments.

Lindsey’s conversational interactions with the crowd came naturally and carried on the comfortable flow of her set. One adorable moment was when she introduced her single “call me when u get home,” featured on her latest EP, Daydreaming (2022). She explained how the song was meant to be a reminder to express the love we feel for our friends. Considering the crowd as being newfound friends since she’d shared her musical space with us, she fondly advised us to get home safe and proceeded to absolutely smash her live performance of the track.

I freaking love when girls pick up a guitar, especially when they do it with as much robust prowess as Lindsey did. Incorporating both a rendition of “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington, Jr. and “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles into her set, Lindsey kept the crowd pumped up and couldn’t have been a better opener for Lexi Jayde.

Lindsey Lomis opens for Lexi Jayde

Lexi’s entrance was one of my favorites that I’ve experienced. Ever. The pre-show music faded out and the stage lights dimmed. Phones set to the camera function rose up from the audience, making the main source of light in the venue come from mobile phone flashlights. A voice memo from Lexi played over the speakers. Unfiltered, tearful, and nowhere near closure, it documented her long and taxing road to recovery from heartbreak. Overlapping memos ran through the venue, each revealing more details of her complex healing journey. The voice memos gradually became louder and louder until the final one featured her “on October 24, 2022, in the green room in San Francisco,” sounding happier than ever. One could even say that this was finally closure—but more on that later.

Fans welcomed the singer with roaring cheers and screams as she danced out to her single “newbury park.” Middle fingers soon replaced the phones in the air as fans belted out the lyrics, “fuck you for wasting my love!” Her live vocals, despite const

Lexi and fans hold up middle fingers to her song “newbury park”

ant movement to every edge of the stage, sounded almost identical to her studio recordings. Her stage presence was just as fabulous as she kept her fans engaged through hand-holding, waving, taking people’s BeReals, and holding out the mic to let us sing along to heartstring-tugging lyrics. Lexi’s most notable way of reaching her fans, however, was her impressive ability to say the exact words we all needed to hear.

Almost every song followed a short speech by Lexi. These would usually be teasing what would be coming up next in the setlist e.g. bringing up the words “tears” and “crying” before “you don’t deserve these tears,” and inviting a fan up from the audience to ask them about their toxic ex before “hate to be you” (the ex’s name was Tori, and the crowd had a blast yelling out “fuck you, Tori!”). But, these speeches also served as a sort of therapy session. Lexi constantly reassured us that heartbreak isn’t as neverending as we may think. Take her, for example. Going from the painful breakup and recording songs for “closer to closure,” to being the “happiest she’s ever been,” as she stood on her sold-out stage. The name of the tour for Lexi wasn’t just a play on the name of her EP. This really was closure and it really is possible, for her and for everyone else that was in the crowd that night.

For any of the concertgoers at Lexi’s show who weren’t looking to erase any lingering toxicity from past relationships, it was still a damn good show to be at. With an epic live band keeping the excitement up (even for her slower songs), and with the intimacy provided by the venue’s small interior, the concert was all-around an outstanding experience. Lexi’s best friends being a part of the audience and shouting out cute words of encouragement added even more personality to the night. And, Lexi even threw in a little surprise for any of her die-hard stans out there, teasing a demo she’s keeping to herself for now, bandages. Giving nothing but allure and sexiness, this was a great peek into what her new era may be bringing.

Lexi finished the night strong with her track, “gentle,” serving as the perfect encore. Red and pink roses that fans held onto throughout the entire show adorned the stage during this last song, a surprise done by LA fans 2 nights before. She walked off the stage and the venue lights rose up. Fans began to disperse, all (hopefully) leaving with the relieving feeling of closure.

After the show, both Lindsey and Lexi stuck around for a bit to meet and take photos with fans. I got to speak with them and ask a few questions.

I asked Lexi about her way of healing after the breakup. Evidently, she responded with music and songwriting. It was her “only way to heal.” I also asked if there was anywhere she’d want to visit on tour that she hasn’t yet, and she responded with the UK. World tour in the works…?

I asked Lindsey about her musical inspirations since I got a lot of Tori Kelly in her vocal techniques. Along with her, Lindsey also listed off other female powerhouse artists including Amy Allen, Adele, and H.E.R., all of which I could definitely see in her music style. Impressed by her dreamy guitar skills, I also asked her when she first picked up the instrument. She was around 11, and her mom showed her the ropes. Huge shoutout to her mom because Lindsey’s skills as a guitarist shined during her set. Finally, I asked if this was her first time being on tour and was delighted to find out that she had just opened for popstar Joshua Bassett on his headline tour. She’s a rising star herself, and certainly, one to look out for.