LOS ANGELES, CA- Maggie Rogers’ latest album, Don’t Forget Me, released earlier this year, marks a bold evolution in her artistry—a reflective yet experimental body of work that reaches deeper into her emotional core than ever before. While her earlier releases captured her fresh, free-spirited approach to folk-pop, this album sees Rogers leaning into raw vulnerability with lyrics that reveal her inner struggles and triumphs. The production is lush and layered, a sonic tapestry that weaves together introspective ballads and vibrant anthems, showing off her vocal versatility and maturity. Critics have praised her ability to balance introspection with bold hooks, creating an album that feels both intimate and expansive.
At times, the songs have an almost cinematic quality, as if each track is a scene in a larger, personal journey. This is Rogers’ world, and in Don’t Forget Me, she invites us to feel every heartbeat and bruise along with her. This fearless experimentation is evident in her live performances, where the songs take on a new life, infused with a palpable sense of urgency and passion. For Rogers, Don’t Forget Me is not just an album title; it’s a plea, a challenge, and a promise. In her live shows, she uses every note to ensure she stays unforgettable, a force of nature demanding our attention, and her performance at the Forum was no exception.
Ryan Beatty was the opener and took the stage with an effortless cool, entering with a guitar slung over his shoulder, instantly capturing the crowd’s attention. There was an unassuming confidence about him as he made his way to a small platform—a tree stump positioned as if he were performing at a backyard gathering rather than a venue as monumental as the Forum. As he strummed his first chords, the audience was pulled into his world, a mix of raw vulnerability and electric energy. Beatty’s voice, textured and rich, filled the space with a warmth that felt intimate despite the arena’s vastness. He played with a sense of authenticity, channeling emotions that seemed to resonate deeply with the crowd. It was clear that Beatty wasn’t merely an opening act but an artist intent on creating a shared experience, setting a tone of honesty and openness that would carry through the evening.
Standing on that tree stump, Beatty transformed the stage into his own, commanding attention without the need for flashy theatrics or elaborate staging. The simplicity of his setup was almost defiant, as if to say that his music alone was enough to captivate us—and it was. Each song he delivered felt like a carefully chosen confession, a moment of connection with an audience eager to listen. His performance style, both grounded and magnetic, created a palpable energy that lingered in the air long after he left the stage. By the time Maggie Rogers emerged, Beatty had already primed the crowd, stirring something electric in them that only intensified when she took over. It was a handoff between artists who both understood the power of vulnerability, creating a seamless transition from Beatty’s introspective set to Rogers’ explosive opening number.
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Maggie Rogers kicked off her final stop in Los Angeles by rising up from beneath the Forum’s stage, illuminated by a single spotlight as she launched into “That’s Where I Am.” This last show was the culmination of eight years of relentless touring, artistic evolution, and a dream that started in a seventh-grader’s living room, playing *Rock Band*. “We’re at the final level now,” she said. “Thanks for making it to the end of the video game with me.”
Throughout the night, Rogers commanded the stage, backed by a meticulously arranged band. Two guitarists flanked her, with dual percussionists and keyboardists forming a balanced tableau behind her, while her remarkable vocal range and precision held the crowd in awe.
Maggie used every inch of the Forum, dancing along the catwalk and reaching out to fans around her. But amidst the playfulness, she shared deeply personal moments, often pausing under a spotlight for raw vocal runs or letting her guitarist take center stage for a solo. Fans sang along, especially to lines like, “I cannot fall in love with you” from “Say It,” their voices blending into a powerful, shared chorus.
The show was a nostalgic journey. On the big screen behind her, home movies from her childhood added a layer of intimacy, connecting her past with her present. When the set shifted to the piano at the end of the catwalk, she invited the crowd to light up their phones if they’d been with her through her L.A. journey—from the Troubadour to the Greek Theatre to the Hollywood Bowl. The Forum shimmered with these lights, a constellation of support. “It’s been eight years of touring to get to this,” she reflected, expressing her gratitude for the journey and the fans who’d grown alongside her.
The night’s most touching moment came as she shared her lifelong love of music. She recalled a seventh-grade memory of playing *Rock Band* at a friend’s house, reaching the game’s final level where players perform in an arena. Now, here she was, living that very moment. “Thanks for making it to the end with me,” she laughed, teary-eyed as applause erupted. Fans responded with a standing ovation, leaving her visibly moved and momentarily speechless.
Maggie also honored her roots. For “Alaska,” she performed acoustically at the end of the catwalk, separated from her band by a large black backdrop that cast their shadows, creating a visual that highlighted their impact on her over the years. Her connection with the band was especially clear when her original members joined her at the end of the catwalk, creating an intimate, small-stage feel amid the massive arena.
The entire show was intimate and emotional, but the ending resonated deeply. I realized how complete the circle was. This was the end of a chapter, but in many ways, also the beginning of something new. I remembered seeing that video of Maggie playing “Alaska” for Pharrell Williams at NYU—her visible nerves then compared to her confidence now on L.A.’s biggest stage. I’m grateful to have experienced the journey Maggie has chosen to share with us.
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LIVE CLIPS
