Fans of Lucy Spraggan will know she’s no stranger to switching things up – sometimes hitting the stage with a full band, other times stripping things back for a more intimate acoustic set with her longtime collaborator, pianist Josh Cana. Right now, she’s touring the UK in support of her upcoming album Other Sides of the Moon – a stunning collection of reworked songs from across her career. This tour, featuring just Lucy and Josh, offers fans a rare glimpse into the heart of her music, capturing the same stripped-back magic that shaped the album in the studio. Though Lucy isn’t originally from the North West, she’s always met with a warm reception – and her return to Liverpool’s Arts Club felt every bit like a homecoming.
Before she even touched her guitar, Lucy told the crowd she always knew Liverpool would bring the energy – and when ‘Lighthouse‘ kicked in, the roar of voices singing back proved her point instantly. Ahead of ‘Butterflies’, Lucy took a breather to talk a bit about how the album came together, sharing that she’d spent the past few years asking people what their favourite songs were. It was part of her process in curating the album – and this track, she told the crowd, stood out as the most requested. In a beautiful moment that perfectly reflected the sense of community surrounding Lucy’s fandom, a huge portion of the crowd held up pieces of paper with butterflies printed on them.
Nobody does honesty quite like Lucy – she wears her heart on her sleeve, and ‘Bodies’ was no exception. Slowing things down, she opened up about her struggles with body image in a track that was both powerful and painfully tender. Her vocals shone with vulnerability and strength, beautifully underscored by Josh’s gentle, expressive piano. Keeping with the reflective mood, Lucy moved into ‘Sober’ – a deeply personal song written in the early days of her sobriety. With six years of that journey now behind her, the performance felt like both a tribute to how far she’s come and a gentle encouragement to anyone walking a similar path. Shifting gears and lifting the energy in the room, she flowed effortlessly into ‘Lucky Stars’, a vibrant, feel-good track that celebrates the people who’ve been there through it all.
Lucy again touched on the community vibe that makes her fanbase feel like family, explaining that it was this deep connection that made reworking ‘Tea and Toast’ so stressful. She wanted to make sure it was perfect. Although the “Disney strings” were missing from the intimate Arts Club stage, the new version – with its stunning piano arrangement replacing her acoustic guitar – still soared, confirming that she had, in fact, gotten it just right. Whether singing or telling the stories behind her songs, Lucy’s storytelling skills always shine through. Before performing ‘End of the World‘, she reflected on how old photos can shift the way we view past relationships. But when you’ve written a song about that time, it’s impossible to deny the emotions you once felt. ‘End of the World‘ is a song about feeling truly content in the last moments before a meteor hits the Earth, sitting in a bar with her ex-wife. With its sweet harmony, the song beautifully captures the idea that, in the face of everything ending, all that truly matters is being together.
Lucy humorously described Other Sides of the Moon as “a cheat album” because it includes tracks she’s previously written. But that’s a bit of an understatement. The truth is, a lot of creativity went into reworking and enhancing these songs. Still, the album offers two completely new tracks: the title track itself, and ‘The Lesson’, which has been part of the set this tour. Written about loss, the tender track showcases Lucy’s emotive vocals, which are beautifully paired with delicate, soulful piano that enhances its sorrowful tone. Stripped of her guitar, Lucy stood almost exposed, her vulnerability palpable as she performed what we can only assume is a deeply personal song. After such an emotional high point, there was only one track that could bring the crowd back up – the one that started it all. ‘Last Night (Beer Fear)‘ exploded into the room and, as always, was met with a deafening, joy-filled response.
With lyrics that explore the internal push and pull between craving solitude and acknowledging the need for connection, the piano-led ‘Balance’ always commands a powerful presence live. It resonates deeply with so many, becoming not just one of Lucy’s most honest songs, but also one of her most uplifting – a moving reminder of the strength found in vulnerability. The resilient ‘Fight For It‘ followed, beginning softly before gradually building in strength. With lyrics that serve as a rallying cry to keep going, the track offers a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, you’re not alone – there are people in your corner, cheering you on. Following ‘Fight For It’ was another track from Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing. Accompanied by a humorous story about a fan mishearing the lyric as “lonely goats”, the explosive track has become a firm favourite in Lucy’s live sets. It’s genuinely awe-inspiring to watch her navigate the rapid-fire lyrics with such effortless precision – a moment that never fails to impress.
Although the album won’t be out until June, a few tracks have already been released as singles, and ‘Unsinkable‘ has certainly made its mark – especially after its feature on Britain’s Got Talent last month. While the live performance lacked the thunderous drums and sweeping strings, the song’s unifying power remained undeniable. By the time the anthemic chorus hit, the entire crowd had their fists raised in solidarity, swept up in its anthem-like energy. After joking with the crowd that she had to announce an encore out of fear that people might leave, Lucy stepped offstage for only a few seconds before returning to end the night with a joyous performance of ‘Lightning‘. The song soared, with 1,300 backing vocalists (aka the crowd) adding their voices, creating an unforgettable, high-energy finale.
As Lucy Spraggan continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of her music and exploring new sonic territories, it’s clear that the journey ahead holds even greater accomplishments. Her growth as an artist is undeniable, and with each performance, she proves just how limitless her potential truly is.
Other Sides of the Moon is due for release on 20th June 2025. You can pre order it from Lucy’s official store.
