Sharon Van Etten: Captivates Roadrunner with a Haunting, Heartfelt Performance

Love Spells opened the night at Boston’s Roadrunner on May 1, 2025 with a tight, polished set that immediately caught the attention of the crowd. The three-piece band leaned into dreamy, synth-heavy arrangements that felt both airy and intentional. Taegen C'aion Harris’ distinct, baby-voice vocals floated over the mix, adding an ethereal layer that softened the sharper edges of the instrumentation. It wasn’t just a stylistic choice—it shaped the entire mood of the performance.

Their sound walked the line between bedroom pop and shoegaze, with just enough structure to keep things moving. Moments of stillness were balanced by swelling choruses that never overreached. The band’s chemistry was clear, and the set was focused without losing its sense of spontaneity. Love Spells didn’t overstay their welcome—they made their mark, set the tone, and left the room a little more weightless than they found it.

(Love Spell)

Sharon Van Etten walked out to full applause before delivering a focused and atmospheric set that balanced moody textures with polished pop sensibilities. Known for her genre-blending goth/pop sound, Van Etten leaned into the darker, cinematic edge of her catalog, creating an immersive experience for the crowded venue. Touring in support of her eponymous release Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory, the band didn’t hesitate to rotate through old favorites. The crowd locked in early during Idiot Box, where an overhead light display added to the track’s restless energy. Later, I Can’t Imagine sparked noticeable movement throughout the floor, as the rhythm and tone opened into something more anthemic. Before launching into Tarifa, Van Etten dedicated the song to filmmaker David Lynch, explaining its inclusion in the Twin Peaks reboot and how meaningful that was to her. It was one of several spoken interludes of the night, but a memorable one, offering context without overstatement.

(Sharon Van Etten)

She also made a point to recognize her full touring crew and band, taking time to name each member and acknowledge their role in bringing the tour to life. Her bandmates include Devra Hoff (bass) Teeny Lieberson (keyboards, guitar, vocals) and Jorge Balbi (drums). It was a sincere gesture that underscored the collaborative spirit behind the performance. In one brief story she mentioned playing in a grass field during a hardcore festival years prior. At the time, she was still rooted in the folk style that initially defined her. It was clear Van Etten hasn’t lost touch with her roots, and the gratitude she feels for the folks who have helped prop her up is palpable. With a controlled stage presence Van Etten delivered a show that was expressive and vulnerable —moody, but never indulgent. Roadrunner proved to be an ideal venue for her sound: large enough for impact, intimate enough for detail.