Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey creates one-of-a-kind experiences on stage
Blending collaboration with exploration, Laufey showcases musical versatility during her ‘A Matter of Time’ tour, writes Music News Blitz’s Madi Chantry.
Born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland, Laufey (pronounced Lay-vay) grew up in a musically-oriented household. Both her mother and late grandfather played classical violin, inspiring her to pursue music as a career.
At age four, Laufey began playing piano, and when she turned eight, she started learning the cello.
When she was 14, she made it to the finals on Ísland Got Talent (Iceland's Got Talent).
Soon after, Laufey turned 15 and performed as a cello soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
In 2020, Laufey released her first major single, Street by Street, which became a number-one hit on Icelandic Radio.
Street by Street was later seen on her 2021 EP, Typical of Me.
Her musical upbringing was evolutionary, and it is no wonder she has become a world-renowned jazz-pop star.
A matter of time tour
Laufey’s third concert tour, A Matter of Time, began in September 2025, featuring 2D and 3D animated visuals for the set design.
The show starts with a ballroom atmosphere, displaying Laufey’s distinctive mix of vintage jazz and modern pop, often described as “Old Hollywood”.
Throughout her performance, the set transitions into a jazz club, producing an intimate undertone.
Laufey and her production team create immersive experiences for fans by incorporating a variety of surprises into her shows.
When her tour began in 2025, she welcomed several special guests to the stage.
READ MORE: Music review: A look at American rapper slayr’s deluxe mixtape “BloodLuxe”
Special guests
For her second Los Angeles show in September, she brought out KATSEYE to perform “Gabriela”.
In October, she performed “Best of Wives and Best of Women” with Lin-Manuel Miranda, who you may know from the musical Hamilton, in New York City.
And in March 2026, she surprised the audience at Manchester Co-op Live by having American actor and musician Jeff Goldblum accompany her on piano to sing “Misty”.
These surprise appearances are multifaceted, as they demonstrate Laufey’s respect for her musical idols and create one-of-a-kind shows that are simply unmatched.
Best-dressed competition
Along with her special guest entrances, Laufey organises a competition at every show by picking the best-dressed person.
Laufey and her team choose winners based on their creativity, whether it be how vintage they look or how whimsical they look.
The winners are then crowned by Mei Mei, Laufey’s bunny mascot for several years.
One young girl, inspired by Laufey’s song, “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self,” designed her own dress and won the competition in Manchester.
Her dress was made out of letters that she and her family had written to their 13-year-old selves.
Her song “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self” expresses her feelings of being an outsider when she was younger.
The lyrics act as reassurance in the form of a love letter to her younger self.
And so, it is a way to show other young people that they should embrace their uniqueness and not conform to societal pressures.
Quite clearly, Laufey is an inspiration to all young girls with a dream who should not give up.
READ NEXT: Music news: Everything we know about The Weeknd’s final leg of his ‘After Hours til Dawn’ tour
