Spring wasn\u2019t the only thing that began on Friday, March 20 \u2014 singer-songwriter Eliza McLamb also kicked off \u201cThe Good Story Tour\u201d at The Sinclair in Cambridge.<\/span><\/p>\n McLamb, who is also a popular <\/span>Substack writer<\/span><\/a> and co-host of the podcast <\/span>Binchtopia<\/span><\/a>, released her sophomore album \u201cGood Story\u201d in October. Against an indie-rock sound, the lyrics explore themes of memory and storytelling.<\/span><\/p>\n The night began with a set from Florida-based country rock band Oldstar. Frontperson Zane McLaughlin, who revealed they\u2019re also McLamb\u2019s catsitter, gained the support of the audience by making a series of awkwardly funny and sometimes almost self-deprecating jokes \u2014 they noted that the stage was the \u201ctallest stage [they\u2019d] been on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After Oldstar, North Carolina native McLamb came out and jumped wordlessly into \u201cBetter Song,\u201d the first track on \u201cGood Story.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Next was \u201cSuffering,\u201d one of the record\u2019s lively singles. Fans sang along enthusiastically and their dedication was clear from the beginning. As the first chords of \u201cGlitter\u201d were played \u2014 a track from her first record, \u201cGoing Through It,\u201d released in 2024 \u2014 a fan exclaimed \u201cOh my God!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n McLamb seemed a bit nervous at first, not speaking much. Her shyness was endearing and her presence felt sincere, laid-back. In a similar manner, the lighting was warm and colorful for most of the show. She even sported her own merch: a pink tank top with a lamb and her name on it. In between songs she sipped from a pastel Owala water bottle.<\/span><\/p>\n McLamb seemed to become more comfortable on stage as the night progressed. She said that the show was her third time playing Sinclair and that it had been her first \u201cbig\u201d show back in 2023. She recalled entering the space and not believing she\u2019d booked it.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite McLamb not being as talkative as her opener, it was still clear that she and the audience were connecting. During \u201cStrike,\u201d a slower, melancholic tune from \u201cGoing Through It,\u201d a fan teared up and their friend put an arm around them. McLamb noticed the interaction and smiled, seeming touched.<\/span><\/p>\n Later on in the set, during \u201cModern Woman,\u201d another track from her first record, McLamb sang \u201cSad girl sings a simple song,\u201d and then pointed her microphone at the audience for them to reply with, \u201cAll the others sing along.\u201d Shortly after that lyric, she and the audience cathartically let out screams, replicating the recorded version.<\/span><\/p>\n While McLamb played quite a few older tunes, she also made sure to play every song from \u201cGood Story.\u201d She transitioned between the albums seamlessly, especially \u201cStrike\u201d into the poppy \u201cForever, Like That.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After \u201cWater Inside The Fence,\u201d during which the lights flashed red and created a darker atmosphere than the other songs, she transitioned again into the slower \u201cTalisman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Being the first night of the tour, there were bound to be a few mishaps, but McLamb handled them with grace. For example, she sang the wrong words to \u201cTalisman,\u201d admitting her mistake casually. Later, she got confused about the setlist, mentioning how she\u2019d changed it right before the show. Her guitarist had to swap instruments, and she joked that he\u2019s \u201cpaid to deal with [her].\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After the upbeat \u201cEvery Year,\u201d McLamb stepped off stage and then returned for an encore, which she said she thinks is \u201csilly,\u201d but \u201cloves it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Her first encore song was a debut of something she wrote not long ago. Called \u201cMystic,\u201d she said it was inspired by recent reading on mysticism, a spiritual belief associated with the occult. The song had a slightly darker melody, almost like one by Soccer Mommy. But instrumentally, it fits right in with \u201cGood Story.\u201d Perhaps she\u2019ll release an extended edition of the record soon.<\/span><\/p>\n McLamb then played \u201cMythologize Me,\u201d her top song on Spotify, which fans jumped along to.<\/span><\/p>\n Before her final song of the night, \u201cGetting Free\u201d \u2014 the last track on \u201cGood Story\u201d \u2014 she subtly acknowledged the current political state of the world. She said she\u2019s been thinking about freedom a lot lately, and how it\u2019s not always given but is always worth fighting for. The audience expressed their agreement through cheers and applause.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n McLamb\u2019s set ended with her appreciation for her audience made clear. A song or two before the end, she reiterated how important Sinclair is to her. After her final song, she handed her setlist to a fan in the front row.<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, although her stage presence was reserved and there were some opening night kinks to work out, McLamb delivered a touching and dynamic performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/wtbu\/files\/2026\/03\/BridgetQuinn-4-1.jpg\")
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