By Britne Goldstein
Maggie Rogers made a bold entrance into arena headlining territory with her opening show in Austin, Texas at the Moody Center on October 9, 2024, the first stop of the “Don’t Forget Me” Tour: Part 2. Despite the vastness of the venue, Rogers brought an undeniable sense of intimacy and warmth, proving that her music resonates deeply, no matter the stage size.
The stage design mirrored her eclectic style, with the band’s risers covered in mismatched rugs and carpets, giving the arena a cozy, living-room vibe. Throughout the night, Maggie alternated between playing acoustic guitar and piano while also engaging with fans by energetically strutting down a well-utilized catwalk, blurring the lines between performer and audience.
Opening with the spirited anthem “That’s Where I Am,” Rogers immediately captured the crowd’s attention, blending her emotional storytelling with uncontainable joy. One of the night’s most heartwarming moments came when she dedicated “Love You for a Long Time” to anyone who had attended her breakout 2017 SXSW performance. The lighthearted kiss cam that accompanied the song added a fun, nostalgic touch for longtime fans.
The audience was also treated to something new—her latest track, “In The Living Room,” released just the day before. While it was fresh and unfamiliar, the song fit seamlessly into her set, signaling Rogers’ continued evolution as an artist.
Yet, the real magic happened during the more intimate numbers. When she took to the piano for “I Still Do,” the arena was transformed as thousands of phone flashlights illuminated the space, twinkling like stars. The crowd fell silent, absorbing the raw, unfiltered emotion of Maggie’s voice, creating a moment so pure it felt almost sacred.
In a unique turn, Rogers introduced a “piano ritual” mid-show, lighting incense and delivering a touching reflection on her career journey. It was a sentimental and grounding moment, offering the audience insight into her personal growth as an artist.
Visually, the concert dazzled with multiple wardrobe layers—she started with a sparkling cape, transitioned into the classic leotard and mesh skirt, and ended by donning a shimmering dress that echoed the disco ball suspended above the catwalk, enhancing the ethereal energy during her closing number, “Don’t Forget Me.”
Rogers’ appeal spans generations, from little girls donning cat-ear headphones to middle-aged men soaking up her heartfelt lyrics. Her ability to create moments of intimacy and connection in such a large venue is a testament to her artistry and authenticity. With this debut arena performance, Maggie Rogers not only proved she could command a space of this magnitude, but she did so while making it feel like a shared, personal experience.
