CHVRCHES Frontwoman Lauren Mayberry Shares Her Touring Essentials

Lauren Mayberry stirred a bit of concern among CHVRCHES fans last year when she began releasing music ahead of her debut solo album, Vicious Creature. But there’s no need to panic, CHVRCHES remain intact, with Mayberry still front and center. In the meantime, Vicious Creature captures the best of her many influences and marks her most personal, direct work yet, which is no small feat for an artist who’s never been afraid to speak her mind.

The Scottish-born, Los Angeles-based Mayberry has long been vocal about injustice, particularly misogyny in the music industry. In 2013, she wrote a widely shared op-ed for The Guardian titled “I Will Not Accept Online Misogyny.” More recently, she was the subject of the short documentary I Change Shapes, which tracks her evolution from CHVRCHES frontperson to solo artist, confronting online abuse, and carving out space as a woman in music. The documentary, part of the BBC series Change the Tune (aimed at raising awareness of the impact that online abuse has on the lives of artists), takes its name from one of Vicious Creature’s standout tracks, “Change Shapes.”

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The album sees Mayberry channeling a wide range of influences, from Sinead O’Connor, Fiona Apple, and PJ Harvey to Kathleen Hanna and British girl groups like All Saints and Sugababes. She also cites musicals like Chicago and Cabaret for their nuanced portrayals of complex women. A roster of in-demand producers and collaborators, including Greg Kurstin, Tobias Jesso Jr., Matthew Koma, Ethan Gruska and Dan McDougall, helped bring her vision to life.

Mayberry has often said that Vicious Creature explores themes she couldn’t fully express within CHVRCHES. It’s a creative rebirth of sorts. After more than a decade and four acclaimed albums with the band, Vicious Creature reveals sides of her we hadn’t seen. On one of the album’s most quoted lines: “I killed myself to be one of the boys/I lost my head to be one of the boys,” she revisits the lyrics with even more urgency in a new version of “Sorry, Etc, Etc,” featuring IDLES’ Joe Talbot.

Since 2023, Mayberry has toured throughout North America and Europe. In May, she returns for festival appearances and solo dates. An experienced road warrior, Mayberry shares her touring essentials with SPIN.

Trakke Backpack

I am quite devastated because I recently learned that this company has closed down. They were a cool Scottish company who made waxed canvas backpacks and messenger bags with a sort of vintage feel to them. I use my black Bannoch bag every time I travel.

Notebook(s)

I take at least two notebooks with me everywhere I go. One for journaling, and the other for lyrics/songwriting. I sometimes brainstorm lyrics in the Notes app on my phone, but I really like physically writing things out. I think it helps my brain figure out the puzzle of a lyric better than I can in my phone, and it’s sometimes nice to look back through old notebooks and see the journey you went on to get to the final lyrics. 

Kong Fit Club Remote Training

My friend Meagan Kong is a dancer-choreographer and personal trainer and I’ve been using her exercise program while I’m on the road. She programs strength training workouts for you in an app and there are demonstration videos of her doing each move for you to follow along. It’s nice to feel like I’m going to the gym with my buddy, where(ver) I happen to be. 

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

I am terrible at losing Bluetooth AirPods so have reverted back to my wired ones. These ones are very comfortable and the isolation on them is really good, which is quite vital for trying to sleep on tour sometimes. 

Eminence Calm Skin Arnica Masque

I have quite sensitive skin, especially when I’m on the road. This mask really helps with any irritation or redness I get from hotel sheets or just from putting on stage makeup every night. You mix it with a little bit of water which makes the pot last for quite a while too, which is nice because Eminence is a little spendy. 

Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment

A makeup artist used this on me on an outdoor photoshoot once and I’ve been obsessed ever since. It’s green, which is a bit alarming to put on your face at first, but it really tones down any redness in my skin before I apply my makeup, and it has SPF in it too which is an added bonus. I am a sun cream freak so always put a separate one on after my skincare anyway but on a non-show day, I will just pop this on at the end of my skincare and it makes my skin look fresh enough that I don’t put other makeup on. 

Trudon Abd El Kader Candle

I stayed with some friends in New York for Hogmanay and their house smelled amazing because of this candle. I don’t like super floral scents but this one is really lovely. It smells like mint with a bit of smokiness to it. 

9:30 Club Hoodie

I think every roadie in the universe has the same T-shirt and hoodie combination for this venue in DC. Last time we were there, I got an extra big hoodie and I’ve been living in it ever since. 

Vocalzone Lozenges

A vocal coach turned me onto these years ago and they are great for when your voice is a bit tired on the road. They do good soothing teas as well. I know a lot of Americans swear by Throat Coat but I prefer this brand as it feels less harsh. 

Dyson Cordless Hair Straighteners

Finding straighteners that don’t need to be plugged in has been a real game changer for me on tour. I feel like a lot of green rooms are designed by straight men who don’t need to think about things like good lighting for makeup or having an electrical socket and mirror close to each other, so these tongs being portable means I can do my hair anywhere which saves a lot of time and energy. 

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Link to the source article – https://www.spin.com/2025/05/chvrches-frontwoman-lauren-mayberry-shares-her-touring-essentials/

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