For nearly a month, Phoebe Bridgers has been playing pop-up shows in select, remote towns and cities across the country. Announced the day of the show and usually at venues with a capacity under 500 people, it's been a new combative way to play to crowds that historically have been excluded from major tours. On Monday, she announced she'd be doing something a little different: a show at New York City's crown jewel, the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden with tickets listed for one dollar plus an option to donate to the Community Justice Exchange’s Immigration Bond Freedom Fund. As the capacity crowd poured into the building, phones and other smart devices were locked in pouches and the lines for merch wrapped around the floors at ungodly lengths. Just past 9:00pm, Phoebe took to the stage which comprised of a pair of synths, a couch, an old TV, as well as some black light posters and a lava lamp. Sitting on the couch, she was handed an acoustic guitar, shouted "surprise!" and played a solo rendition of "Motion Sickness" to a nearly silent, enraptured audience. As the sold-out building waited with bated breath, she welcomed Christian Lee Hutchins to join her on acoustic guitar and harmonica while another person sat behind the keys as they unloaded a stripped down set that was comprised mostly of unreleased music. Hitting us with "Waiting Room" was a wonderful surprise that knocked the crowd off their feet before "Kyoto" had us all surrendering to the moment, people clutching their chest and gasping as tears streamed down their cheeks. To say it was a rare, special moment doesn't begin to do it justice as she made such a huge room feel as intimate as possible. "Moon Song" only enhanced these feelings as Phoebe, decked out in a Black Sabbath t-shirt, rejoiced in everything happening around her. Repeatedly thanking the crowd for being willing to give up their phones and internet access, it was clear just how special the show was for her as well as everyone in attendance as she remarked how she herself had never been to a show quite like this and how much she was living for something that was only happening for those in the room. Following the familiar hits, Bridgers debuted eight new songs, sans titles, and it was remarkable to see so many people sit in silence to take in every single note and do their best to make out as much of each track as possible. The second new track had a bit of a Radiohead/The Smile-esque breakdown towards the end and another followed the statement "I wrote a country song, y'all!" While she mostly stuck to acoustic guitar, she did move over to the synth that was placed in front of her couch for some extra, delayed texture that made you wonder what these will all sound like on the inevitable new record that must be imminent. Hearing these demo-like versions of new songs was truly surreal and to get to hear them in such a massive space where everyone was locked-in, free from distractions was magical. During one moment, fans held up their lighters to show their admiration and it was apparent how much it resonated with Bridgers as a smile lit up across her face mid-song once she looked out to see what was happening around her, "that was awesome!" she exclaimed afterwards. Following the run of new songs, she dove back into her catalogue and had everyone back in their feelings for "Graceland Too" which she followed with "Scott Street." Before the grand finale, she announced that she was going to play another new song, but this one would be making its debut and she asked not to judge if she messed it up. Heavy synths pulsated through the track and as she made references to Coney Island and the Wonder Wheel, the building shook with joy and it was clear that it would be an immediate favorite at all future stops in the city. (Not to worry, she told the crowd she'd be announcing a huge fall tour the next day!) To close us out, she asked if we were all ready for some audience participation and as she began to strum out the chords to "I Know the End," people rose to their feet for the first time and everyone joined along for one massive singalong. By the time we reached the climax, everyone screamed in unison at the top of their longs and lived to the fullest as the final seconds bled out. As we enter the next era of Phoebe Bridgers' career, this felt like a really special experience and it was incredible to witness such a star strip things down to the most basic core on such a huge stage, something surely to remember for the foreseeable future.
Set list:
02 "Waiting Room"
03 "Kyoto"
04 "Moon Song"
05 "(Unknown)
06 "(Unknown)
07 "(Unknown)
08 "(Unknown)
09 "(Unknown)
10 "(Unknown)
11 "(Unknown)
12 "Graceland Too"
13 "Scott Street"
14 "(Unknown)
15 "I Know the End"
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