Lauran Hibberd live review: a force to be reckoned with in Cardiff

Bursting onto stage at Cardiff‘s Clwb Ifor Bach like the most indie hyperactive puppy ever seen, Isle Of Wight native Lauran Hibberd is already a force to be reckoned with as she launches into Average Joe and beckons the crowd to sing back to her. Hibberd is a natural performer bouncing around the stage like no tomorrow while admitting that she “doesn’t exercise a lot so… this is a lot for me”. Happily breaking into Bleugh after an anecdote about Roadie Rob’s long-distance relationship and struggling to open a water bottle, Hibberd is sensational demanding that the crowd gets down (to help keep them young, apparently…) even with some dodgy knees around.

“I released an album last month – which it’d be weird for you not to know about if you’re here,” Lauran Hibberd notes, introducing the grunge-tinged Hole In The Head. One audience member shouts back that, in fact, they didn’t know about the album. “Well, you do now!” It’s definitely warm-up onstage, Hibberd joking about wanting the crowd to remember her as she looked as the set began, as opposed to “the Lee Evans-style girl you see” – at which point she kicks into the super-fun Hot Boys, support act Viji reappearing on stage for their bit. Here, Hibberd looks most in her element, with a call-and-response routine that only natural performers can pull off.

Viji - credit Kevin Pick — Viji – credit Kevin Pick

Uber-banger That Was A Joke is preceded by a joke of its own, specifically about a dog bowling. It doesn’t quite land. No matter, because this is unadulterated good vibes – not only for the singer but also for Roadie Rob, who the crowd repeatedly chants for before the album’s title track GarageBand Superstar and Still Running (5K), to fill in for those features that couldn’t quite make it this evening. “Any city that loves Rob is a city of mine,” Lauran quips.

Returning for a double whammy encore of Rollercoaster (a song which is like going to Thorpe Park but cheaper, we’re informed) and Last Song Ever, Lauran Hibberd apologises once again for being so sweaty before signing off a fantastic gig in the Welsh capital.

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 22 Sept

words JOSH WILLIAMS photos KEVIN PICK

KEEP READING: ‘Oliver R. Moore-Howells speaks to a musician and YouTuber who has become an online beacon for the LGBTQ+ community – before getting along to his packed gig at Cardiff’s Globe.’