On April 15, Laura Jane Grace brought her latest project, the Mississippi Medicals, to the Ventura Music Hall for an intimate performance that felt both historic and deeply personal. With a 26-song set that reached across the full spectrum of her career — from the earliest anarcho-punk days of Against Me! to her current solo and collaborative material like “Give Up the Ghost,” “True Trans Soul Rebel,” and “All Fucked Out” — Grace demonstrated, with conviction, how an artist can remain ideologically consistent while evolving musically and emotionally.
Laura has long been known for her unflinching commitment to anti-authoritarian ideals and an often autobiographical lyrical style, and those qualities were on full display throughout the night. Backed by an incredibly skilled trio — Mikey Erg (The Ergs!) on drums, Matt Patton (Drive-By Truckers) on bass, and Paris Campbell Grace, her wife, also on vocals — the band delivered a performance that was musically spot-on, emotionally driven, and rich with context.
The set kicked off with “Karma Too Close,” quickly setting the tone and drawing the audience in. Erg and Patton, both seasoned musicians in their own right, were visibly elated to be on stage, grinning ear to ear from start to finish — especially as the show transitioned into Against Me! territory. Their energy, paired with Laura’s relentless pace, kept the night moving forward with a momentum that felt distinctly punk, yet polished by years of experience.
Paris Campbell Grace’s presence brought a rich and conscious layer to the performance. Her vocals didn’t just support Laura’s — they gave them space to resonate more fully, adding dimension and strength. During “The Ocean,” a particularly vulnerable moment in the set, Laura sang: “And if I could have chosen, I would have been born a woman / My mother once told me she would have named me Laura / I’d grow up to be strong and beautiful like her.” While Laura sang those lines, illuminated in deep, brilliant blue, I caught a glimpse of Paris watching her from across the stage. Her expression — full of love and admiration — filled me with warmth. I felt a wave of emotion hit me unexpectedly. It was the kind of moment that stays with you — not because it was grand or theatrical, but because it was honest.
Laura’s offhand remarks throughout the night were sharp, self-aware, and often had the crowd laughing. After struggling with a stubborn microphone stand early on, she said, “Does Eddie Money have to deal with this shit?” Later, after “Pints of Guinness Make You Strong,” she remarked, “I tell you, the best shows just fly the fuck by. I feel like we ended up here in three minutes.” The sarcasm landed well; by that point, the crowd had already been immersed in over a dozen songs without ever feeling a lull.
In a particularly endearing moment of DIY spirit, Laura broke a string mid-song and said, “Sooo unprofessional.” For me, it unlocked a sudden core memory. As a teenager, I had friends who covered Against Me! songs, and their guitarist, Adam, almost always broke a string in the process. That detail — the sheer energy of the music — is something I hadn’t thought about in years, and it reminded me how intensely this music demands to be played, not just heard.
The band briefly left the stage after “Your God (God’s Dick)” — most memorably performed at a recent Bernie Sanders rally — before returning for a four-song encore. “We were told the PA shuts off at exactly 11 and then we all turn into pumpkins,” Grace joked, before launching into a final stretch of songs that included “Mercenary,” the iconic “Baby, I’m an Anarchist!” — the definitive anthem of the anarcho-punk scene — and “Thrash Unreal.” As the band played through the encore, the entire room sang along as one, louder and harder than ever, creating an electric atmosphere that amplified the connection between Grace and the crowd. They powered through the encore in less than the 15 minutes they had left before 11, closing the set with “Sink, Florida, Sink,” delivered with an urgency that never once wavered.
What struck me most throughout the night was how clearly Laura’s live show continues to resonate with a wide-ranging and diverse audience. The room was filled with people of different backgrounds and identities, many of whom appeared to have a profound personal connection to her work. That connection goes beyond any single genre or subculture — it’s rooted in the lived experience Laura brings to every song she writes. Her music has helped people navigate trauma, articulate resistance, and find community. Even those of us who haven’t faced the same struggles she has find something deeply human and admirable in her refusal to back down.
I never had the chance to see Against Me!, and for a long time, that felt like a huge missed opportunity. But after seeing Laura in this context — performing with such clarity, confidence, and emotional range — I realize this was something more meaningful. It was an artist performing in her truest form, with the benefit of time, reflection, and the presence of a talented, loving, and deeply supportive partner. My first personal experience with her live show, though long overdue, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed and documented the evening, both through a lens and with words.
A huge thank you to Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals for giving us the opportunity to cover such an impactful evening. It was a much needed reminder of the connection I’ve had to this music for years, and I’ll carry that with me always.
GALLERY: Laura Jane Grace at Ventura Music Hall in Ventura, California (April 15, 2025)
