lany: a cowboy in austin
Photos by Nimsi Coronado
LANY performed at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas for two consecutive nights, with the second night taking place on Thursday, February 29th. They were accompanied by both Conor Burns and Hazlett.
Formed in Los Angeles, California in 2014, LANY, which stands for "Los Angeles New York," is a rock indie pop band. The trio consists of Paul Jason Klein, originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, on lead vocals, keyboard, and guitar, alongside Jake Goss from Nashville, Tennessee, on drums. Their self-titled debut EP, released in 2014, garnered attention, especially with the hit track "ILYSB." Subsequently, in 2017, they achieved further success with the release of their debut album "LANY." Since then, LANY has released a total of five albums, including "Malibu Nights" (2018), "Mama's Boy" (2021), "gg bb xx" (2021), and "A Beautiful Blur" (2023).
Paul Jason Klein wearing a tie dye bucket hat given to him by a fan.
Anticipation filled the venue as a massive curtain hung over the stage, fans eagerly awaiting the start of the show. As the lights dimmed, the opening notes of the first song, "you!," filled the air. Then, with the rising of the curtain, Paul Jason Klein emerged in the center, microphone on stand, strumming his guitar, while behind him, Jake Goss manned the elevated drums.
The addition of visuals added a touch of magic to the evening. Paul gracefully made his way to the piano onstage, starting to play "I Don't Wanna Love You Anymore." Behind him, a backdrop of randomized red letters and numbers shifted, illuminating the lyrics of the song in white as he sang, bathed in a spotlight. During "Pink Skies," Paul stood at the center of the stage, framed by a coastal sunset projected behind him, while an oversized green eye hovered on the screen above, perfectly accentuating the lyric, "'Cause I love the way your green eyes mix with that Malibu indigo."
In the midst of "Out of My League," Paul ventured from the center of the stage down the catwalk. Spotting a fan, Maddy Chacon, perched on someone's shoulders, passionately singing along, he directed his attention towards her. Drawing closer, he gestured for her to join him onstage. As she embraced him, they shared a heartfelt moment, singing directly to each other. They then danced together, engaging in playful back-to-back twerking, igniting the crowd's excitement. Paul concluded the interaction by planting a tender kiss on her forehead and another hug, leaving a lasting impression on both Maddy and the audience. It was an unforgettable night and an incredible experience for Maddy.
Jake Goss playing drums during “pink skies”.
The band was clearly enjoying themselves that night, with Paul expressing his enthusiasm to the crowd, saying, "It feels good to be in Texas; this is my favorite show so far," eliciting cheers from the audience. During "Cowboy in LA," Paul playfully inserted, "Can I get a yeehaw?" prompting an enthusiastic response from the fans.
"Malibu Nights" unfolded as a deeply emotional performance, beginning at the piano with Paul illuminated by two spotlights. As the song progressed, he rose from the piano, making his way to the catwalk, delivering each lyric with intensity, punctuating them with slight stomps. Behind him, visuals depicted an upside-down house, a moon, and stars, while white lights danced in various directions.
For the night's finale, during "XXL," Paul ventured into the pit, singing amidst the crowd, who eagerly reached out to capture the moment with photos. Eventually, he climbed out, and as the song concluded, Paul, Jake, and the rest of the band gathered at the center of the catwalk, bowing together in unison, marking the end of a memorable evening.
Setlist:
1. “you!”
2. “ex I never had”
3. “up to me”
4. “It Even Rains in LA”
5. “I Pray”
6. “somewhere / Sugar & Cinnamon”
7. “Love at First Sight”
8. “Congrats”
9. “I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore”
10. “Thick and Thin”
11. “Out of My League”
12. “cowboy in LA”
13. “No / (Saturday Night) 3:22 AM”
14. “Super Far / Mean It”
15. “13”
16. “Alonica”
17. “Cause You Have To”
18. “pink skies”
19. “dancing in the kitchen”
20. “Thru These Tears”
21. “Malibu Nights”
Encore:
22. “ILYSB”
23. “XXL”