LP Giobbi

The Fruit

October 25, 2024
305 S Dillard St
,
Durham
,
NC
9:00 PM
-

LP Giobbi Shows Us the “Way Back Home”

An effervescent start to a can't-miss tour.
Written By:
Angie Dodson
Photography By:
LP giobbi way back home tour durham fruit morning choir xander sunflowers

LP Giobbi kicks off the Way Back Home Tour in Durham

After having the opportunity to spend the week with LP Giobbi and her amazing team as they rehearsed for the launch of the Way Back Home tour, we watched as the show came together after months of planning. Being an artist we have loved working with in the past, and with a manager with North Carolina roots, we couldn't be happier to have spent this time with them in preparation for a kick-ass tour. With passion and excitement, we couldn't wait for everyone to see what came together in the Fruit on that special first night.

That night came on October 25th. Six days after the release of her second album, Dotr (an album that blends revelatory celebration with tender acceptance, a reflection of a poignant journey through a year mired in grief), Giobbi delivered an incredible show to a packed house. An in-the-round, 360-degree experience, people flocked around the entirety of the stage, an intimate calling home of moths to light.

minibear durham fruit house music morning choir

Starting the tour on a high note, LA-based artist Minibear set a signature groovy vibe that got the crowd dancing. A genreless experience, Minibear expertly crafts a journey, setting the tone rather than confining themselves to a prescribed musical box. Their high-caliber artistry makes it no surprise that they serve as the Chief Education Officer at Femme House, a nonprofit founded by artists LP Giobbi and Hermixalot dedicated to creating opportunities for femme and gender-expansive individuals in the music industry. This tour is a meaningful one for Minibear, who admires LP Giobbi’s growth and journey as an artist.

Next, multi-talented instrumentalist and producer Mascolo took the stage with a blues-inflected set elevated by live electric guitar. Unfortunately, an issue with the microphone kept the full potential of his vocals from reaching the audience, but that did nothing to dim the artist’s star. His performance had a captivating and unique tone. The warm pads felt fuzzy—a sultry and smooth sound paired with acoustic drum samples—breathing refreshing air into an otherwise dense room. The crowd clapped along as Mascolo performed in front of a neon sign exclaiming “Yes Yes Yes,” a nod to LP Giobbi’s imprint under the Defected Records family of labels, to which Mascolo is signed.

Another member of the Yes Yes Yes family, Le Chev, was next up at the booth. He played with infectious joy and enthusiasm, a funky disco-infused house sound that had the audience roaring. This performance was not a solo affair; both Mascolo and Minibear returned to the booth to collaborate with Le Chev, electrifying the dance floor.

"Once in a while you get shown the light"

LP Giobbi morning choir durham fruit grateful dead durham,nc rave edm

In the brief moments between Le Chev’s departure and LP Giobbi taking the stage, the crowd thrummed with kinetic energy, akin to the constant vibration between atoms. When Giobbi began to play, that energy ricocheted throughout the building—a near earth-shattering experience with bass that resonated deep in your bones. Through an interwoven reimagining of her first two albums, she took everyone on an explosive sonic journey, augmented by her live keyboard performance (the sheet music on the stand is evidence of her background as a jazz-trained pianist). Her sparkling smile shone through the choreographed columns of light surrounding the stage, showcasing the infectious energy she brings as a performer.

The Way Back Home Tour at the Durham Fruit

lp giobbi way back home tour sold out show durham fruit

At this point, you might be tempted to think the night is almost over. Soon, the crowd will filter out, pack into their Ubers, and prepare to sleep off whatever booze they drank—and you couldn’t be more wrong. The show was just getting started.

Think of the previous sets as an introduction to the cast, four unique artists showing you their personal flavors and what they bring to the table. Now imagine them all together, a collective where companionship and reciprocity take center stage, an experience beyond just the music—a testament to their bonds and the beauty of connection (and where, of course, the bass still hits and the dancing never stops). The next few hours embodied this. It was a moving and heartfelt experience for many in the audience. Musically, the artists shone through explorative and innovative sounds. It was the pinnacle of creativity in real-time, an intimate and one-of-a-kind performance.

LP giobbi sunflowers why does lp giobbi have sunflowers durham fruit morning choir

The story of the sunflowers is the reason for it all

And at the heart of it all—

Sunflowers. A vase of sunflowers next to the piano, a sunflower in LP Giobbi’s hand, a smattering of sunflowers waving through the crowd. A beautiful sight juxtaposed against dark warehouse walls, representing life, hope, and joy—themes LP Giobbi explores through her music, poignantly symbolized in a simple gesture. At that moment, amidst sunflowers and sound, hope blossomed as proof of the transformative power of music.