A Sacred Space: Samia at The House of Blues

Beautifully haunting musician Samia cultivated a mesmerizing show at the House of Blues on May 21. The singer-songwriter stopped by Boston as part of the Bloodless USA & Canada Tour. The last time she was in town, she opened for Bleachers at MGM Music Hall and left Boston itching for a headline show. A sea of buzzing fans flooded the venue and visited the merchandise table that featured playful designs like the band name in a whispy script font with a collage of wolves on the front.

The show began with Raffaella, who set the enchanting tone for the night. She skipped out in a plaid pleated skirt, white frilly blouse, ripped tights, and sleek black loafers. Her half-up, half-down hairstyle bounced as she tiptoed around the stage and laid on her stomach to kick her feet back and forth during the standout track "BUICK." She performed a variety of catchy and thought-provoking tracks, using these expressive dances to highlight the layered production. Her humorous and personable anecdotes fostered an intimate connection with the audience. She revealed that she felt like she was "meeting a celebrity geographically speaking" by being in Boston because she had been watching a lot of Cheers, pointed out the irony of Emily Dickinson's last name, and cited Samia as the inspiration for a song about how she is fiercely loyal when it comes to her best friends.

Soon after, Samia's voice came across the speakers to urge everyone to donate to Reproductive Freedom For All, revealing one lucky fan who texted the number would win a signed setlist. The lights dimmed, and the band took their places on stage, some carrying classy wine glasses to their spots. Samia emerged in a tomato-red camisole and mom shorts. She kickstarted her set with "Triptych" from her 2020 debut album, The Baby, holding onto the mic stand while taking in the scene. Samia was a woman of few words, but her genuine gratitude and surprise spoke volumes. She shared that she appreciated the "overwhelming love" in the room and lost herself in the excitement, laughing as she ran to the piano after almost missing her queue.

The singer's visceral music confronts complex topics like societal expectations, femininity, emptiness, and identity, translating to a live show that inspired audiences to face them confidently, too. During "Sacred," she sat on the floor and dangled her legs over the stage, creating a strong bond with the audience by matching their eye level. The stage design mirrored the album's themes, with a few bare bulb light stands flashing to the beat and a navy green lawn chair Samia would occasionally sit on. During "Fair Game," she sang about how killing mosquitoes is a lost cause, "You can go outside on a hot night and clap / But you won't get your blood back," while sitting in the chair, a common scene for this existential bug-related crime. She held the crowd in the palm of her hand, with fans cheering when they identified the start of the next song as if each one was their favorite. She used dynamic and jerky movements to highlight the sharp instrumentation from her band, feeding off their energy (see the gif below).

The singer returned for an encore, ending her powerful performance with the fan-favorite track "Honey." Samia curated a cathartic set, translating her provocative and thoughtful discography into an equally astute live performance. Make sure to catch Samia live before the Bloodless USA & Canada Tour ends in June. Buy tickets here.