Lucy Dacus Reflects on Boygenius’ Hiatus: ‘The Perfect Time’ for Change
Lucy Dacus recently discussed the unexpected success and subsequent hiatus of her band Boygenius, stating that their journey “[immediately outpaced our expectations].” Dacus, along with bandmates Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, formed the acclaimed supergroup that released two EPs and the critically celebrated debut album, The Record, in 2023.
Success and Recognition of Boygenius
The trio’s debut full-length album, The Record, achieved significant milestones, including reaching the top spot on the UK Albums Chart and receiving a five-star rating from NME, which heralded it as “the instant classic we were hoping for.” Furthermore, their collaborative effort earned them three Grammy Awards for:
- Best Alternative Music Album
- Best Rock Song
- Best Rock Performance
In addition, Boygenius received the BRIT Award for International Group of the Year at the 2024 ceremony.
Conversations on the Band’s Future
In a December 2023 interview with NME, Dacus, Bridgers, and Baker expressed a desire for the band’s future to remain unpredictable. Baker stated, “It’s something we can revisit when we feel motivated to,” suggesting a preference for the project to exist as a periodic escape rather than a continual obligation.
Announcement of Hiatus
The group announced a hiatus during a surprise performance in Los Angeles in early 2024, indicating, “We’re going away for the foreseeable future.” Dacus later explained her feelings about the break in a feature for The New Yorker. She shared that the band transitioned into this period even before the release of their recent album, along with their shared goal of limiting their band activities to one year to prioritize friendship and mental health.
Dacus on the End of Boygenius
Dacus revealed that the unexpected rise of Boygenius led her to evaluate her own artistic trajectory. “We had these big goals of playing sick shows. But it immediately outpaced our expectations. We just had to adjust. I’m still shocked,” she remarked.
She emphasized the importance of self-preservation within the group dynamics, saying, “Let’s protect our friendship, let’s protect our energy, let’s not have each other feel pressure to keep it going for the others. It was so much fun, and I think we ended at the perfect time.” Dacus expressed gratitude towards her bandmates, noting, “I’ll love Phoebe and Julien til the end of time. We’ll be missing you. Long live Boygenius.”
Upcoming Projects from Dacus
Following the hiatus, Dacus is set to release her fourth solo studio album, Forever Is A Feeling, on March 28 with Polydor/Geffen. The album features four singles released in advance, including “Talk,” “Ankles,” and “Best Guess.” The full tracklist includes notable collaborations, with Hozier featured on “Bullseye.”
In addition to new music, Dacus has announced her upcoming UK and European tour, which kicks off on June 12 in Oslo. This tour includes performances at various significant venues and festivals throughout the summer.
Tour Dates for Lucy Dacus
Below are the confirmed UK and European dates for her upcoming tour:
June 2025
- 12 – Rockefeller, Oslo
- 16 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
- 19 – Astra, Berlin
- 24 – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
- 25 – Trianon, Paris
- 26 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
- 30 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh
July 2025
- 02 – Academy, Manchester
- 03 – Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
- 05 – Roskilde Festival, Denmark
With her solo career on the horizon, fans can look forward to Dacus’ forthcoming releases and live performances, as she prepares to carve her own path while cherishing the memories created during her time with Boygenius.