Townie Katlyn Conroy is leaving Lawrence for a new adventure across the pond. Before she moves to England, the musician wants to celebrate her 34th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 25 with a “gigantic show,” and everyone’s welcome.
Conroy has played Lawrence venues more than half her life, starting at 15. In her late 20s, she launched a tradition of gifting herself a public party to mark her latest trip around the sun. Those celebrations, she said, were “filled to the brim” and held at the Replay Lounge. But this year will be different.
Conroy, formerly of Cowboy Indian Bear and La Guerre, got married in July. Within the next few months, she and her toddler will move to Liverpool to join Conroy’s husband. This could be her last LFK birthday bash, so she’s going big — she booked the spacious Granada for what she hopes will go down as “a super memorable cover show.”
Those who feel like sporting their Halloween spirit already, go right ahead, Conroy said. It’s also a costume party.
“For my birthday, my present to myself is I throw a show and I get a band together, and we basically play my favorite songs. I get to do karaoke for everyone … with a full band. And it’s really fun,” Conroy said. “I want a bunch of people to come because it’s all ages. And it’s on Sunday, but it’s earlier. So I’m hoping that it’ll draw more people that way.”
While Conroy can often be seen bouncing between keyboard, the guitar and a drum machine on stage, she’ll forgo those Sunday. She’ll focus her performance on the singalong.
Conroy will take the stage with backing band Carswell and Hope under the name Cheery and Friends. Also performing are loop pedal artist Kawehi, and Kansas City’s The Creepy Jingles, and Jessica Paige.
Doors open at 6 and the bash begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Tickets can be purchased in advance through this link for $8, plus a convenience fee. Tickets also will be available at the door for $10.
Conroy said partygoers shouldn’t count on a “normal show.” They can, however, plan on horns, strings, and even some theatrics. She wants what could be her last birthday show in Lawrence to be one for the ages.
“I have been here my entire life. I absolutely adore Lawrence,” Conroy said.
Still, leaving her hometown was something she thinks would have happened eventually, even if she hadn’t gotten married.
“It just happened that I met this really wonderful guy, and we got married, and he happens to live in Liverpool,” she said. “It reminds me of Lawrence in a lot of ways except it’s on the coast. So you’re surrounded by ocean and mountains, and it’s super beautiful. So honestly, I’m thrilled. I know I can always come back, and Lawrence will always be Lawrence.”
Before Conroy moves on, she’ll head out on a U.S. tour as part of Dooms, whose debut album “Shellshine” comes out Oct. 21 on High Dive Records. Conroy plans to release her debut record for Cheery next year in Europe.
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Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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