Give Me a Minute at The Melancholy Disco : Natalie Livingston’s ‘Dive Bar Bathroom’ Release Show

By Calli Ferguson

Photo by Carlo D / Paw Prints

At Natalie Livingston's release show for her new single "Dive Bar Bathroom", the artist shared that her live shows have lovingly been coined the “Melancholy Disco”. In the music as well as the vibes of the room, her concerts create a space where, as she put it, “we feel things so deeply, but we also wanna shake ass.” This description couldn't have been more fitting for the atmosphere at the Berlin that night where Livingston took the stage wearing a silver sequined skirt (not unlike a disco ball herself). Taped to the Berlin bathroom doors were pieces of paper that read “Give me a minute in the dive bar bathroom”-- a playful nod to the new single. The venue’s small space was filled with fans, friends, and friendly new fans. 

Photo By Carlo D / Paw Prints

Livingston’s music is lyrically poetic, fun, and relatable. It follows narratives and weaves in personal moments. If that reminds you of what feels so attractive about someone like Taylor Swift, it should. But the intimacy here felt special. Surrounding Natalie Livigston’s discography to date, her Berlin set managed to create a unique sense of community and play.

Through the songs Livingston and her band shared with us that night, you could feel a natural and exciting progression of her sound. Though newer stuff is more of a bubblegum pop, the artist’s country-inspired roots, singer/songwriter structure, and the vocal twang on acoustic guitar were present throughout. Livingston shared on stage, “I’ve transitioned into pop, but at the end of the day I'm just a little country-folk bitch from New Hampshire,” before launching into a performance of “Crying Shame”– the first song the artist had ever written.

The show was highlighted by the prettiest harmonies with backing vocals on stage and an amazing duet cover of 4 Non Blonde’s “What’s Up” mid-show. The fun, poppy “Reuben,” Livingston’s last single before “Dive Bar Bathroom,” was definitely a crowd favorite. Looking around, the audience sang along like they were a part of the story. To any end, they were all a part of the evening– having a lot of fun thanks, at least in part, to Livingston’s own fun stage presence and a level of comfort in that space that can’t be faked. The enthusiasm in the room for “Reuben” could well have foreshadowed what “Dive Bar Bathroom” might find at the next Melancholy Disco. The track is new but aligned with the pop world laced with the folksy underbellies that her discography is evolving towards. 

“I've never heard of someone having a bad time, but if they did they’re probably my ex,” Natalie joked of her shows to a crowd of people who were definitely not having a bad time. That is the thing about anything “melancholy”-- even when it hurts, it does so in kind of a good, satisfying way. It strikes a chord. And the thing about a disco is that it’s a straight-up fucking good time.