On a still Sunday night in September, I arrived at the Coca-Cola Roxy in the heart of ATL to see a line stretching for many blocks past the entrance. A sold-out show billed as Fletcher's, but it was Maude Latour, the evening’s opener, who left an unforgettable impression. While Fletcher delivered her signature emotional sassy punch, Latour had the crowd hooked from the moment she stepped on stage, embodying the spirit of early 2000s pop-punk with an alt-pop feel.
Latour took to the stage like a bolt of energy, immediately drawing comparisons to the likes of Avril Lavigne with her playful and carefree attitude, relentless energy, and a distinct Y2K pop sound. It was easy to see how she connected so deeply with her audience. Latour took inspiration from the artists who have taken over our playlists over the years, while still bringing a modern, breathy flair to her songs.
Her falsettos were angelic while combining seamlessly with synth-heavy beats and piano chords that sounded almost like radio static, adding a nostalgic, dreamy quality to her set. Songs about fleeting youth and connections were paired with shimmering pink and magenta lights, creating a visual representation of the celebration of being together that you could feel in every corner of the room.
One of the evening’s most striking moments came when Latour performed the song "Lola," and the audience held up their flashlights, matching the tender feel of the song. Upon the start of her final song of the set, "One More Weekend," Latour encouraged the audience to soak in the collective experience. It was as if Latour was giving the audience permission to embrace the moment that would be over in 3 minutes.
Fans who might have come for Fletcher were taken by Latour’s charm.
As her set went on, more and more people joined in, hands in the air, fully embracing her message of inclusivity and celebration of identity and sexuality. Latour wasn’t just an opener, she was a spark that lit the night. Her high-energy performance felt like a release.
Whether she was belting out lyrics or effortlessly singing through breathy, alt-pop verses, she kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. By the time her set wrapped, it was clear she had gained many new fans.
Then, came Fletcher, who delivered on all expectations. Her fans, many of whom showed up in their custom made t-shirts and past Fletcher merch, had been anxiously anticipating her entrance. Before she took the stage, the pre-show playlist, featuring Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, set the mood.
As the lights dimmed, projections of a few seconds from different music videos flashed across the curtain hiding the stage. The music stopped, and the curtain dropped, revealing Fletcher and her band seconds before they erupted into her first song, "Maybe I am." A hard-hitting 90s rock-infused song, her vocals cutting through with raw power, immediately reminding everyone why she’s become such a standout in the pop scene.
The energy shift was unmistakable, where Latour’s set had been about joy and inclusivity, Fletcher's show was more of a cathartic release, especially when the guitar solos ripped through the crowd. Her strong vocals carried the night, reaching emotional heights and plunging into darker, grittier moments.
Ultimately, the night belonged to both artists, though in different ways. Fletcher brought the drama and the power, but it was Maude Latour who truly connected with the audience, delivering a performance that felt personal, fun, and refreshingly nostalgic. For fans of breathy alt-pop and Y2K nostalgia, Latour was the perfect discovery, and she did exactly what an opener should: leave you wanting more.
Latour will continue supporting Fletcher through two more dates in the US leg of the tour:
10/07 Soma | San Diego, CA
10/09 Greek Theatre | Los Angeles, CA
