The first time we saw Sarah McLaughlin -known by stage name Bishop Briggs- perform was at the RiNo festival last summer. ‘River’ was all over KTCL’s 93.3 and we were all left wondering who this gospel trap goddess was. Watching her live in the hot Colorado sun our jaws hit the dusty gravel. This chick is explosive on stage and her steamrolling career has followed suit. The Los Angeles native has been steadily touring for the last year making appearances at internationally dominating festivals like SXSW and most recently, Coachella. She's got big plans for the summer including US festivals Firefly, Lollapalooza, Montreal's Osheaga and England's Reading and Leeds Festivals. It’s clicked in our heads that this pigtail whipping badass is the next pop sensation.
Last night Bishop Briggs threw down in our city at a sold out Bluebird show. Rocking a retro, oversized Tasmanian Devil tee and her classic, unforgettable double-braided hairstyle. We love her self-titled EP but it doesn't touch the experience of her live performance and presence. She bounces across the stage like a bunny rabbit yet her pitch fails to quiver (dat endurance doe). Her dynamic vocals consistently sound fresh and full-forced live. She couldn't help but adorably smirk when during a quiet pause some tipsy bro yelled, "WE LOVE YOU BISHOP." She's not willing to put up a front and it's crazy charming.
This chick also appreciates her fans like no other. You can see the glimmer of appreciation in her genuine smile as she greets fans out in the unwelcoming Denver rain yesterday. An aura of humbleness constantly surrounds her. After she liked our Instagram photos and tweets from the show we’ve also unwillingly morphed into choker wearing 17-year-old girls fanning our faces in disbelief.
It feels like we’re preaching to the choir here. If you've missed one of her live shows it's because you're not paying attention. We look forward in the continuation of following her career and hope that next time she's in town we won't sleep on the possible opportunity of asking for an interview. Stay tuned!
The mile high city is crushing’ hard on you, Bishop Briggs.
Words: Kelly O'Keefe / Photos: Robert Castro
