Alice Phoebe Lou came back to Philadelphia playing a stripped-back set that felt personal. She opened by chatting casually with the crowd. The room was calm, but they gave their undivided attention, ready to meet her in the space she was creating. When she came out on stage, she said, “I was nervous about playing this set without the band. But I like that it feels like our little secret. We can forget about everything else going on in the world.”

Going into the night, her newest album Oblivion can feel noticeably more minimal compared to her earlier work, at times almost to a fault, lacking some of the dynamic range that made her past releases do so well. But live, that restraint started to make more sense. What might feel understated on record became intentional in the room, allowing her voice and songwriting to take full focus. As she explained, “There is something really special about making things smaller and making music that you want to make at the time you want to make it… instead of trying to keep building and going up.” Even if the album hasn’t resonated as strongly in numbers, its songs found a deeper, more effective life in this setting.

She eased into the first song with a softness that immediately quieted the venue. Her voice, whimsical and ethereal, carried the performance. By the fourth song, she brought opener John Andrews onstage, slowly expanding the sound. Later, she introduced “How to Get Out of Love,” joking that she hadn’t played it in a while because it was “too depressing” before adding, “you guys must like sad music, let’s cry together”. The crowd laughed, and someone shouted, “We love you, diva.” She ended the song by playfully sticking out her tongue. That was a unique contrast between deeply emotional songs paired with a light, playful presence. This is what made the night feel special.

Alice Phoebe Lou at Union Transfer Philadelphia April 14 photo by @Megan.Lozano.media

Midway through, she transitioned to piano, shifting the tone without losing the closeness of the set. Electric keyboard sound during Lately. She joked about needing a cheat sheet for the lyrics. Alice said, “I am just oversharing now, that’s kind of the whole vibe of the night”. In these quieter moments, the room felt completely absorbed, with people closing their eyes and sitting in the emotion before she’d break the tension with a small laugh or giggle.

“Touch” brought in more layered instrumentation, including the distinct sound of the Omnichord. Laughing, she warned, “Guys, don’t do it…it’s so expensive. My band blames me for the prices going up, but I don’t know.” The moment added to her charm never taking herself too seriously.

The connection between Lou and the audience never wavered. She remained down to earth, smiling and giggling between songs, talking to the crowd like old friends. One of the most memorable moments came when she dedicated a song to someone in the audience. She said, “This next song is all about love…” leading into a live proposal before playing “Angel,” turning the room into something even more personal.

She was so in tune with the crowd and decided not to leave before the encore. It felt like a night to forget about issues going on in the world and just be. Before closing with “Witches,” Alice Phoebe Lou left the crowd with a final reflection: “It’s a crazy time to be in your country right now… not to get too esoteric, but let’s take this energy out into the world and spread it. That kind of stuff matters.” It was a simple sentiment, but one the crowd clearly connected with.

Words and photography by @Megan.Lozano.media

Alice Phoebe Lou at Union Transfer Philadelphia April 14 photo by @Megan.Lozano.media

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