Having covered Pom Pom Squad’s first show of the Mirror Starts Moving Without Me album cycle last October at Mercury Lounge, it was a treat to see how the live performance of these songs had evolved over the last few months, as the final show of The Mirror Ball Tour North American tour took place last night at Music Hall of Willamsburg.

The show opened with Caroline Kingsbury, who got the crowd rallied up in a way I haven’t seen in a while. Her spandex jumpsuit, bold makeup, and poofed-up hair matched her music by feeling straight out of an ‘80s pop rock show, which was a treat for 99% of the audience who weren’t even close to being alive in that decade, myself included.

Kingsbury was a fitting opener, as the nostalgic aesthetic that defines her style aligns seamlessly with Pom Pom Squad’s creative vision for this album, tour, and much of her career—evoking the feel of a teen thriller/horror film from 1987. This vibe was carried through the show’s live elements via dark, mystical blue lighting and key staged moments that felt a bit like a high school theater production, such as roses being handed out to the crowd and a hand mirror prop being used during the final song—“The Tower.” The ‘high school play’ feeling works really well with Pom Pom Squad’s entire theatrical aesthetic, which reminds me of a Carrie-esque commentary on high school popularity and cliques, something Mia Berrin has touched on in a few interviews throughout her career.

This was a hometown show for Berrin, who was born in Long Island and studied at NYU where her solo Pom Pom Squad project began to get its legs. As is the case with any hometown show in the city, it’s always extra special for both the artist and the crowd (especially when the crowd gets to shout ‘fuck the MTA!’ during “Heavy Heavy”). Berrin was especially feeling nostalgic about the show, explaining how she has been playing shows in the city for eight years, starting at the ‘shittiest bars’ and eventually playing venues like Music Hall of Willamsburg to a sol- out crowd. She even brought her mother out on the stage to introduce ‘Street Fighter.’

Based on the October album release show I covered last year, it was great to see how Pom Pom Squad could mold their stage presence and music to play a venue that is considerably larger than Mercury Lounge. Through stage theatrics and Berrin’s presentation of her songs, the show and music gave me the same feelings that I got during that earlier show and while listening to her music. I’m excited to see where the mirror ball takes her next—and how she continues to build on the ongoing movie plotline that is Pom Pom Squad.

Words and photography by Bobby Nicholas III

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