dodie reduced Camden’s Roundhouse to tears with an emotionally-charged performance
The musician brought her ‘Not For Lack Of Trying’ tour to her hometown.
Photo: Madeleine Wrigley
London-born indie icon dodie performed a beautifully crafted set at the Roundhouse in Camden on Monday night, delivering a performance that felt distinctly her own. With her characteristic blend of soft vocals, candid storytelling and understated charm, she guided the audience through a set that seamlessly balanced nostalgia and new beginnings, whilst making it playful and light-hearted. Supported by the effortlessly talented Aron!, the evening unfolded with a steady emotional rhythm that captivated the entire venue and moved them to tears.
Aron! opened the night with a set marked by clear vocals and an easy stage presence. His performance was genuine and emotionally grounded, allowing each song to land with intention with lyrical precision and acoustic talent. The audience responded quickly to his authenticity, and by the time he finished, the room was fully engaged and receptive to the tone he had set.
After a short intermission, dodie appeared wearing bunny ears and a gorgeous white dress, an understated yet fitting reflection of her playful but thoughtful aesthetic. She opened with a brief excerpt of Arms Unfolding, nodding to her early catalogue, before transitioning into Hot Mess. These familiar tracks established an immediate sense of intimacy that carried through the evening.
dodie then shifted into material from her latest album, Not For Lack Of Trying, performing I Feel Bad For You, Dave and The Answer. The contrast between her early work and her new material highlighted her growth as both a vocalist and a songwriter.
Throughout the set, she alternated between older favourites and recent releases, creating a cohesive narrative that reflected her artistic evolution ever so seamlessly. Songs such as Cool Girl, Smart Girl, Hate Myself and I’M FINE! were delivered with clarity and emotional precision, demonstrating her ability to move fluidly between reflective melancholy and lighter, self-aware humour.
A notable moment arrived when she performed Someone Was Listening, the song she wrote for the award-winning indie game Life Is Strange. The track’s understated emotional weight resonated strongly in the live setting, and it marked one of the quieter but more impactful points of the evening.
The set continued with several tracks from Not For Lack Of Trying, including Tall Kids, the album’s namesake track Not For Lack Of Trying, and Now. Dodie’s transitions between songs were smooth and controlled, maintaining a consistent tone while allowing each track’s individual character to stand out.
One of the most affecting moments of the night occurred during her performance of She, a song that has become significant within queer communities. As rainbow lighting filled the Roundhouse, many in the audience were visibly moved, underscoring the lasting personal impact of the track for listeners who found representation and comfort in its lyrics.
dodie then performed Human, the title track from her debut album, before pausing to lead the crowd in an early birthday song for her brother, who was present in the audience. It was a brief and genuine moment that reinforced the communal feel of the evening.
Following this, she performed Guiltless from her new album and revisited earlier songs, including Lovely Bones, Monster, and Boys Like You, offering a balanced selection of her musical history.
Although she left the stage initially after this section, the audience’s response brought her back for a two-song encore consisting of Ready Now and her newest release, Darling, Angel, Baby, and welcomed Greta Isacc to the stage to collaborate with this emotional number. Joined once again by Aron!, she closed the night with a calm but confident energy.
dodie’s performance at the Roundhouse reaffirmed her position as a distinctive voice within both the indie music scene and the queer scene alike. Without relying on spectacle or high-volume theatrics, she continues to draw large audiences through emotional honesty, musical subtlety, and a clear connection to the people who come to hear her.
All photos by Madeleine Wrigley.