Laci Kaye Booth Launches Headlining Tour at Carol’s Pub
Cover Photo By: Jason KalishLaci Kaye Booth kicked off her headlining tour in the heart of Chicago at Carol’s Pub, an intimate country-music venue that proved to be a perfect fit for Booth’s smoky, soulful sound. The Texas-born singer-songwriter is balancing her own headlining dates with a run of shows opening for Ella Langley on the Dandelion Tour, making this stretch of her career an especially busy one.
Opening the night was fellow singer-songwriter and friend Harper O’Neill, who immediately established a warm connection with the Chicago crowd. O’Neill’s set moved effortlessly between country, rock, and blues-inspired sounds, showcasing the versatility that has become part of her identity as an artist. She also delivered a memorable cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” putting her own spin on the classic. But storytelling is where O’Neill really shines. Between songs, she shared personal tidbits, cracked jokes with the audience, and made the room feel less like a concert venue and more like a gathering of friends.
Taken with iphoneLaci Kaye Booth took the stage with the quiet confidence of an artist who has spent years figuring out exactly who she wants to be. She opened her set with the crowd favorite “George F****** Strait,” setting the tone for a fun and unfiltered performance. Laci looked every bit the part of a country-rock siren in a red bell-sleeve maxi dress paired with a matching red push-up bra, knee-high boots, and brown belts that completed the look. Her iconic teased red hair was impossible to miss and felt like just as much a part of her personality as her music.
Taken with iphoneHer current tour takes its name from her latest record, Love Ain’t for the Faint of Heart, an album that highlights Booth’s ability to blend traditional country influences with a more atmospheric, emotionally raw sound. The Chicago crowd listened intently as she worked her way through new material, including “Pathetic” and the wonderfully irreverent “Ethereal Redneck Shit.” She also revisited several songs from The Loneliest Girl in the World, her 2024 album, giving longtime fans a chance to hear some of the material that helped define her evolving sound.
Taken with iphoneOne of the standout moments of the evening came when Booth invited O’Neill back onto the stage to perform “I Let Him Love Me,” a song written by O’Neill. The collaboration felt particularly fitting. Both artists are Texas natives who eventually found their way to Nashville, although O’Neill also spent time living in Chicago. Their shared history and friendship were evident in the ease with which they performed together.
“Daddy’s Mugshot” was another standout, showcasing the darker, more conversational side of Booth’s songwriting. Rather than relying on oversized production, she let the songs and her voice do the heavy lifting, which worked particularly well in a small venue like Carol’s Pub.
Taken with iphoneMusically, the performance was equally compelling. Atmospheric guitars, steady percussion, and tasteful steel guitar created a warm backdrop that enhanced the emotional weight of the songs without overwhelming them. Booth’s sound lives somewhere between delicate and fierce, which is a combination that allows her to move from vulnerable moments to more commanding performances without ever feeling forced. There is something almost surprising about hearing those deep, smoky, dreamy vocals come from such a petite frame.
Taken with iphoneBooth closed the night with “Damn Good in a Dive Bar” and “Luck of the Draw,” leaving the audience with two songs that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening: honest, imperfect, and unmistakably country. Adding to the intimate feel of the night, Booth offered a free post-show meet-and-greet, giving fans the opportunity to meet her after the performance.
For Booth, the journey to this point has been a long one. She first gained national attention as a contestant on American Idol, where she made it to the Top 5 in 2019. Since then, she has steadily carved out a musical identity of her own, moving beyond the constraints of a television competition and developing a sound that feels much more personal and authentic.
