The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA — March 17, 2026

Lauren Spencer Smith arrived at The Wiltern in Los Angeles ready to take us on a ride. The trip would depart on the “LSS EXPRESS” outbound toward The Art of Being A Mess, a cheeky play on the title of her recent 2025 album. And in case you need them in preparation for your journey, she has kindly supplied the bus stop with a stocked box of “Sad Girl on A Bench” tissues. It’s details like these that distinguish between a singer and a performer — and Lauren Spencer Smith not only has the vocals, but she can put on a show. If you found yourself lucky enough to snag a spot in the standing room of the first few rows, it’s likely that you yourself had a moment of sincere eye contact with Lauren during some point of the set. She doesn’t merely look out into the crowd as a mass, but seems to genuinely connect with individuals. After all, these are the fans who elevated the 2022 hit single, “Fingers Crossed” to nearly 550 million streams on Spotify. Her confessional songwriting, ranging from trouble with older boys to the murky waters of best friend break-ups, opens a portal between artist and listener, and her live show proves an opportunity for those on either side to step into that one-night-only liminal space that only concerts can provide and to experience all of the mess together.

Words & Photography: Lee Dubin