Words and Photos by Katherine Cardinale
After playing Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, New York multiple times in the past, Mercer Henderson came back as a headliner for the very first time last night! Fans from all over the country lined up early for a chance to be up close and personal with the singer, with many of them bringing gifts like flower bouquets and Funko Pops.
Alice Kristiansen opened the night and played a set full of unreleased songs, as well as a cover of Billie Eilish’s hit song, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” Alice’s vocals were absolutely amazing, and she captivated the entire audience with just her voice and bandmate’s guitar.
After a short break between sets, it was time for Mercer. As soon as the lights dimmed, fans began eagerly cheering, anticipating Mercer’s appearance from the side door. Mercer has stated that she feels most like herself when she’s on stage and performing in front of a crowd, and this was instantly evident the moment she burst onstage with her band. During the hour-long set, Mercer played fan favorites such as “Lock Me Up,” multiple unreleased songs that have been teased on her social media, and the recently released upbeat track, “Ruin Me,” which is a personal favorite of mine. I was very impressed by Mercer’s amazing stage presence and constant high energy! Throughout the concert, she took the time to engage with her audience members, taking their phones to sing into them and holding their hands. However, Mercer did a fantastic job of seamlessly incorporating some equally heartful, slower moments into the show as well. One of the many highlights of her set was when she walked into the crowd and performed an acoustic track with just a guitar.
Mercer is a full-time New York University student who has put out an EP and a number of singles since her debut back in 2022, and she is definitely a rising star to watch. Be sure to catch her live next time she tours, and check out her music wherever you get your music now!
Loudspeaker Collective 