It’s a peculiar thing when you realize you’ve been slowly, over the course of several years, amassing a small collection of songs from an artist you’ve never seen live. Only in retrospect can I see that Hatchie’s music has underpinned countless crucial moments in my life since I first heard “Keepsake” in the summer of 2019. Her debut collection of beautiful, brightly colored and wistful melodies carries itself effortlessly over tracks that are steeped in the school of Cocteau Twins, Lush or The Sundays. That is to say: washed out, swirling guitar lines with sweeping synths pockmarked by punchy percussion. It hit me perfectly, and repeatedly.

So when I was given the chance to finally hear these songs live, I pounced. Music Hall Of Williamsburg, in what is likely the last year of its beautiful and longstanding existence, was feeling the bone-chilling deep freeze of negative temperatures last night. I was, yet again, ill-prepared for the weather but I dutifully took my place up near the lip of the stage. Sedona was up first. The L.A.-by-way-of-Brooklyn (!!!) group fit well within the Hatchie ecosystem. Their sun-drenched dream-pop leaning songs had the (chilly) crowd at Music Hall swaying like molasses. The songs felt lyrically candid and intimate while being draped over by highly textured, melody-rich pop.

Before Hatchie, the stage began to fill with bright red balloon hearts through a sheen of mist. The band, descending the stairs side stage, were greeted by rapturous cheers. They launched themselves into “Anemoia,” from her latest record (out now!). The command that Hatchie and her band have over the stage and the performance is masterful. Hatchie (Harriette Pilbeam) announces that tonight is a celebration of their latest record Liquorice, and that this is only one of a few shows they’re playing in the states to celebrate. The first few tracks of the evening are lifted from this new record, and they have those same sweet melodies that remind you of the first time you heard her music. Her lyrics explore her own version of romanticism and yearning that felt so central on her previous records. The writing is as strong as it was years ago, only now there is a more reflective bend. Tracks like “Carousel” and “Only One Laughing” translate well here to a live setting, underscoring her influences with waves of glimmering reverb and monstrous rhythm. While the new record lands slightly softer in production than “Keepsake” or “Giving The World Away,” she balances the setlist well with a mix of old and new, and lets crowd favorites soar. Take “Sure” for example. Played towards the end of the set, it lands like a warm hug, enveloping you in a familiar embrace and reminding you why you’re here in the first place.

Words by Conor Rooney
Photography by Bobby Nicholas III

Hatchie at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, February 7, 2026, by Bobby Nicholas III

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