WORDS Callie Foulsham
PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Marcovecchio
Dressed in a bejewelled, lilac shirt and matching knee high go-go boots – a look channelling an even camper version of Daphne from Scooby Doo – against a detailed backdrop display of a summery meadow, Lauran Hibberd took to the stage at Camden’s “The Underworld” on Thursday evening for the final UK leg show of her Bring Your Own Girlfriend headline tour.
In March this year, Lauran released her highly-anticipated sophomore album, Girlfriend Material – a fusion of rock and alt-pop sounds that strongly resonates with the early 2000s, pop punk princess aesthetic.
Her show at The Underworld featured an hour-long live set plus support from rock and alternative bands Ugly Ozo and Housewife. As well as performing songs from Girlfriend Material and her 2022 debut album, Garageband Superstar, Lauran also treated her loyal fans to retro songs of hers from previous EPs such as Hoochie and Shark Week.
Following her Camden performance, BRICKS caught up with Lauran to delve into all things Girlfriend Material, and to find out what she gets up to on tour.
BRICKS What makes someone ‘girlfriend material’ to you?
Lauran: The top 3 girlfriend material qualities are listening to my album Girlfriend Material daily, wearing a Zone 1 outfit in Zone 4, and having a tummy ache.
The top 3 girlfriend material qualities are listening to my album Girlfriend Material daily, wearing a Zone 1 outfit in Zone 4, and having a tummy ache.
What is your favourite song to perform live & why?
My favourite song to perform live is ‘Honda Civic’ because it has so much energy and grit and the crowd always screams SO loud. It’s so weird because I never intended to release this track, but after playing it live on tour it became a real staple in the set – and a fan favourite!
What is your post-show ritual?
My post show ritual is the opposite of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s normally a call to my mum, a Coke Zero and maybe food, as I can’t eat before a show! I find that I need to take 20 minutes to do something really calming and normal, just to bring me back into the room. If it’s been a super good gig though, I’ll be jumping on the sofa and screaming with my band mates, obviously.
Do you have any tour rituals or superstitions?
The most memorable tour ritual of mine is that my bandmates and I make a lot of weird songs – if you can call them that – while on the road. We make them specific to each show and sing them before we go on stage for good luck. It’s very Mighty Boosh of us! They’re super funny and a bit weird, but we really can’t stop doing it now.
What could we expect to find in your rider on tour?
The rider at the moment is looking like a 50 year olds woman Morrisons basket, but we move. I always have gin, herbal tea, fresh fruit, carrots and hummus, weird flavoured crisps, protein bars and a lot of Coke Zero.
What inspires your tour wardrobe?
My tour wardrobe is ‘spice girls’ core. Super 90’s, heavy on the pastels, and I love mixing the super cute & extra femme with punk/grunge. I love wearing upcycled sports jerseys, with all the added frills. I’ve been wearing a lot of Hairy Mary for this. The tour wardrobe is extremely important to me, it’s a huge part of my brand.
Who is your stage style icon?
My stage icon is currently Chappell Roan – DUH! – I am obsessed with her coordination with her band and how she dedicates herself to album themes, giving everyone the inspiration to do the same. The Statue of Liberty outfit will never be forgotten – it’s super bold, and unapologetic, and feels really authentic. I don’t think I have seen that for a while in pop music.
What’s the best gig you have ever been to?
The best gig I have ever been to is without doubt the Hella Mega tour at Wembley. As a pop punk kid, this was me living out my teenage dreams. Getting to see Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Greenday all in one night was too much for my brain to handle. It was my first time seeing Weezer live, and they had been my favourite band for so many years. It was a real bucket list gig for me, I cried! More recently, Taylor’s Eras tour and The 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’ blew my mind.
Listen to Lauran Hibberd’s album Girlfriend Material’ on Spotify now.
Callie Foulsham
Callie is a makeup artist & beauty writer based in London.
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