Maggie Rogers at the Doug Fir Lounge—click to see more photos by Carmen Kintz“You’re seriously the best person,” a voice from the crowd called out during Maggie Rogers’ sold-out show at the Doug Fir Lounge on Monday, March 27.
Putting into words what everyone in the room was already feeling about the 22-year-old Maryland artist, the outburst also spoke to Rogers' entire career up to this point.
From the moment a video of Rogers sitting down and playing her song "Alaska" to a blown-away Pharrell Williams went viral and launched her career last summer, it's difficult to think of pop artist who's been easier to root for.
Maggie Rogers at the Doug Fir Lounge—click to see more photos by Carmen KintzWhile singers like Taylor Swift have gone out of their way to appear approachable and humble as they perch on the unreachable thrones of pop music, Rogers has been able to interact with her fans on an honest, human level as she maneuvers through the out-of-body experience that has been her reality for the past nine months. Transforming from a complete unknown to the kind of artist that can sell out a Monday night Doug Fir show weeks in advance on the momentum of a viral video, Rogers has brought her fans along for the ride with a series of down-to-earth and thankful social media posts. And as we found out this week in Portland, that naturally gracious personality translates to the stage very well.
"Um hi, I've had a pretty wild year," she quietly remarked the fist time she addressed the crowd. "The funny thing about the internet is my life has been changed by people behind computer screens who I will never meet."
Facing some of those people for the first time on this tour, Rogers is the kind of relatable artist who makes it feel like you're watching one of your best friends on stage—until she opens her mouth and sings. At that point, you're reminded there's a reason your friend is still playing open mics at sketchy bars and Rogers is selling out tours. These last nine months weren't a mistake. She may have launched her career with a viral video (and her ascent has been undoubtedly helped by her endearing personality), but Rogers proved she has the talent to belong on a stage like this.
Maggie Rogers at the Doug Fir Lounge—click to see more photos by Carmen KintzEffortlessly mixing the traditional trappings of folk music with an open-armed acceptance of electronic dance music, Rogers' sound is upbeat and fun—but it has heart, too. Pausing the evening's dance party to play a song she wrote on the night Donald Trump was elected, Rogers noted, "Artists have a responsibility to educate the world and those around us." But even at her most serious moment, upbeat danceable synths bubbled up behind her political message and kept everyone in the room engaged—regardless of personal views.
Her sound (and worldview) is a well-rounded one—and no matter who you are, it's hard to leave a Maggie Rogers show without feeling like you just made a new friend.
Check out more photos of the show by Carmen Kintz here!
.@maggierogers finishing her sold-out set at @DougFirLounge tonight with her hit "Alaska." ✨ pic.twitter.com/aSVVktVcIu
— Vortex Music Mag (@vrtxmag) March 28, 2017
