The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles was transformed into an ethereal landscape as AURORA brought her sold-out show to life. Combining emotional, colorful visuals with her icy vocals, she created a performance that felt both ancient and otherworldly. The entire experience pulsed with a primitive energy, leaving me weak-kneed and utterly enchanted.

Before AURORA’s set, we were treated to a stellar performance by Biig Piig, an artist with a genre-bending style that blends jazzy pop with heavy bedroom rock. Biig Piig, who first gained traction on Soundcloud in 2017 and later released a trilogy of EPs from 2018 to 2020, held the audience spellbound. Her honey-rich voice floated through the historic auditorium as she performed tracks like “4AM” and “Kerosene.” Though she opened for Glass Animals in 2021, this was my first time hearing her, and I couldn’t help but be captivated. She’s an artist I’ll be following closely.

Walking into the Shrine, I immediately noticed the unique energy of AURORA’s fans. They arrived in fairy wings, with faces painted like celestial bodies, draped in Nordic-inspired attire that evoked a sense of shared mythology. The fandom felt less like a concert crowd and more like a pagan gathering, united in their devotion.

When AURORA emerged, she wore a flowing white lace gown, her ethereal presence magnified by the ever-shifting lights. She moved like a flame—flickering, spinning, and glowing—disappearing and reappearing in shades of indigo, cobalt, and crimson. The lighting was an extension of her storytelling, casting her as both a fragile being and a fierce force of nature.

The stage visuals were mesmerizing, transporting the audience to a realm that felt straight out of a Nordic saga. At one point, AURORA appeared on the massive screen behind her, split into three versions of herself before merging into a haunting internal battle. The imagery—a knife raised, poised against her own reflection—was both visceral and poetic. It felt as if I were witnessing an ancient epic, equal parts tragic love story and primal reckoning. It reminded me of scenes from The Northman, a surreal plunge into myth and existential reflection as a goddessseemed to descend upon the audience.

The connection between AURORA and her fans was undeniable. She paused midway through her set, sensing the collective emotion simmering beneath the surface, and spoke about the importance of unity in the face of division. She reminded us that we’re more alike than different and encouraged us to release whatever we were holding onto. Then, she screamed—a raw, cathartic cry that echoed through the Shrine, and we all joined her. Hundreds of voices merged into one, a scream of pain, joy, and release. It was as if we were exorcising the ghosts of the past together, an act of collective healing that left the room buzzing.

Musically, AURORA’s vocals were crystalline, like icy water dripping down your back on a winter morning—chilling, sharp, and invigorating. Songs from her setlist unfolded like chapters in a saga, with themes of heartbreak, resilience, and the enduring power of love. Her performance of “Exist for Love” was a highlight, her voice trembling with vulnerability, while “Cure for Me” felt like a triumphant anthem of self-empowerment.

The set design was as much a part of the storytelling as the music. A massive moon descended into the stage, casting an otherworldly glow that reflected onto the auditorium floor. At times, the screen behind her showed a massive, epic, version of her face, her wide eyes piercing the audience, or morphed into surreal imagery—her figure multiplying or battling shadowy versions of herself. The interplay of light, shadow, and projection elevated the show into a visual and emotional feast.

As the evening wound down, the mood shifted. After an intense, almost war-like opening half, AURORA guided us toward hope and renewal. Before her encore, she closed with “Giving In to the Love,” a radiant finale that felt like stepping out of a cold mountain stream and onto sunlit rocks. It was the perfect conclusion to the epic story she had woven, both visually and lyrically. AURORA’s performance was a transcendent experience. Her powerful voice, evocative visuals, and primal energy, transported us into a world where ancient myths and modern emotions collide.

Words by David Saxum

Review: Aurora Live art The Shrine in Los Angeles on November 21st with words and photos by David Saxum

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