Words and Photos by Katherine Cardinale
The indie/alternative rock, pop-punk tinged Pom Pom Squad recently wrapped up their highly anticipated The Mirrorball Tour with a sold out show at Brooklyn, New York’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. Pom Pom Squad is the solo project of Mia Berrin and features Alex Mercuri on guitar, Lauren Marquez on bass, and Shelby Keller on drums. They are based in Brooklyn, marking this final stop of the tour to be their hometown show, which Mia spoke about towards the start of their set.
Pop artist Caroline Kingsbury opened the night and delivered a high energy, absolutely unforgettable performance. Caroline has a unique and colorful aesthetic that blends seamlessly with her refreshingly honest discography, which pulls sonic influences from musical legends such as Bruch Springsteen and The Killers. Caroline is rising to prominence due to her song “Kissing Someone Else,” an upbeat highlight off her debut album, Heaven’s Just A Flight. Most recently, she collaborated with fellow queer artist MARIS on the infectiously catchy indie pop single, “Give Me A Sign.” Caroline was extremely engaging on stage, taking the time to interact with fans in the crowd and even joining them in the pit for the final song of her set. I stopped by Caroline’s merch table after her performance and she took the time to speak with me about her experience on the tour. I also shared how much I love both “Give Me A Sign” and her most recent solo EP, I Really Don’t Care! It’s clear from our conversation, as well as her opening set on The Mirrorball Tour, that Caroline is an authentic and talented artist that everyone should have on their radar.
Pom Pom Squad took the stage at precisely 9PM and instantly captivated the crowd with their enthralling performance of “Downhill,” which is the first song off their most recent album, Mirror Starts Moving Without Me. Mia and her bandmates’ energy matched the audiences’, which was evident from the collective dancing and singing in the room. The group’s amazing onstage chemistry was also immediately noticeable. Some of the highlights of Pom Pom Squad’s set were a guest appearance from Mia’s mom before “Street Fighter,” as well as the band’s cover of Metro’s “Black Sheep.” Pom Pom Squad’s Alice-in-Wonderland meets cheerleading squad aesthetic heightens their onstage presence and worldbuilding, making each of their shows a memorable experience. They should definitely be on your concert bucket list, and you can stream Mirror Starts Moving Without Me wherever you get your music now.
Loudspeaker Collective 