SHOW REVIEW: Faye Webster @ The Novo

My Time at the Los Angeles Girls-With-Bangs Convention

Almost everyone hates on country music until Faye Webster comes on. Atlanta-based singer Faye Webster took the stage at The Novo on Nov. 8, the first of two nights of the LA stop of her Fall 2023 tour. Dreamy musicianship and confessional lyricism lingered throughout the DTLA venue all night long.

Venezuelan American singer Maye opened the show with insightful songs performed in both English and Spanish. While her set was relaxed, Maye showcased her talent during her opening set, warming up the audience for the evening ahead of them.

Beginning her set with her summer single “But Not Kiss,” Webster entered the stage amidst a sea of phones waiting to capture her on video. “But Not Kiss,” which crescendos during its chorus, had the crowd moving to some of the most vulnerable lyrics ever written. Webster doesn’t create moshing music, but somehow her fans were slamming against each other to the lyrics “I hope you’re OK, but I won’t ask.”

Heartache sounds beautiful at a Faye Webster show. Webster sings as if she’s on the verge of tears, placing emphasis on the humanity and authenticity of her craft. It was wonderful to hear the TikTokified song “Right Side of My Neck” live instead of through my phone speakers.

While she primarily played songs from the albums Atlanta Millionaires Club and I Know I’m Funny haha, Webster treated the audience to “Wilco Type Beat,” an unreleased song. “Wilco Type Beat” let Webster and her band shine; I won’t be surprised when this song makes it onto my Spotify Wrapped next year. A lifelong Pokémon fan, Webster took to an electric keyboard to cover the song “Eterna City,” an upbeat break from the wistful melancholy of the evening.

Webster closed her set with her most viral song, “Kingston.” Fans screamed the opening “The day that I met you I started dreaming,” as Webster strummed away at her guitar for one last song. The LA Girls-With-Bangs Convention was truly a wonderful time.

- St. Audrey AKA Audrey Serrano

Features, Show ReviewsKXSC WebmasterNovember 23, 2023show review, faye webster