On February 19, FINNEAS continued his "For Crying Out Loud!" tour with a stop at the iconic Fillmore in Philadelphia. The Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and artist has been releasing solo music since 2016, making a name for himself not only as a solo artist but also as a powerhouse producer. With 10 Grammys to his name—including "Producer of the Year"—and collaborations with Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and more, his career is nothing short of impressive. But beyond all of that, Finneas' solo music is something truly special, with standout tracks like "Break My Heart Again" and "Let’s Fall In Love For The Night." With over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, it’s clear that the world is paying attention.
As someone who has been a fan of Finneas for nearly seven years, I’ve never been so excited to see him live. To fully immerse myself in such a life-changing moment, I made my way to Philadelphia early in the afternoon, ready to camp out and secure the spot of my dreams. When I got to the venue, I met fans who had already been waiting for hours—one group had been there since 7 AM! It was a perfect reminder of just how deeply dedicated his fans are.
Hours passed in the cold, but the time flew by thanks to the incredible people around me. There’s something about bonding over shared excitement that makes the wait worthwhile. Finally, it was time to go inside. A great rush of both excitement and anxiety rushed through my body as I entered the venue, preparing myself for the walk to the barricade. I locked in an amazing spot super close to the stage with my heart pounding with anticipation in my ears. As soon as I composed myself, Bad Suns took the stage.
I never had the chance to listen to Bad Suns before, but wow—what a performance! Their energy was infectious, and they had the perfect balance between stage presence and crowd interaction. One of the coolest moments was when they had the entire crowd pull up their latest single, "Communicating," on our phones and play it at the same time. Did it sound like a perfect, synchronized masterpiece? Not at all. It was more like a chaotic, loud sprinkler. But the entire room burst into laughter, making the show even more memorable. They closed out their set with "Daft Pretty Boys," thanked the crowd, and left the stage.
Then, the real anticipation set in. I could feel the energy shifting, the crowd buzzing with excitement. I had seen Finneas live before, but this time, I had barricade—something I’d dreamed of for years.
In what felt like a blink, the lights went dark. The stage lit up. The entire room erupted in cheers. And then, there he was. Finneas took his place at the piano and began with "Starfucker," the perfect opener. He started the song solo, but as it built up, his band joined in, creating an almost ethereal, larger-than-life moment. I sang my heart out, surrounded by a room full of fans doing the same. When the song ended, he greeted the crowd, thanking us for spending our Wednesday night with him.
Then, he picked up his guitar and started playing the opening riff of my current favorite song, "Lotus Eater." As he performed, he made sure to move to both sides of the stage, interacting with fans. I took this song as my moment to just exist—to take it all in. Being in a room full of people who love Finneas as much as I do felt like a community in the best way.
The night continued with nonstop energy—singing, dancing, and, of course, some tears. One of the things that has always drawn me to Finneas’ music is the raw emotion he pours into every song. And let me tell you, hearing it live? That emotion hits ten times harder.
Then came "2001"—the song where he always takes a fan’s phone to film a video on stage. And guess what? I was the lucky fan he chose. My adrenaline skyrocketed as he smiled at me, gave me a small nod, and reached for my phone. He took it on stage for a few seconds and filmed a clip that I will cherish forever. (The video is up on our TikTok if you want to check it out!)
The entire show felt like pure magic. One of the coolest things about Finneas’ concerts is how much effort fans put into making the experience fun—there were signs, creative outfits, and even a bunch of people dressed in Elmo costumes (a nod to an inside joke from a previous show). Everyone was friendly, and the vibe was just about sharing love for music, which is something that can feel rare these days.
But all good things must come to an end. Finneas gave his final thank-yous and introduced the last song of the night—"For Crying Out Loud!" The crowd gave everything they had left, screaming, jumping, and soaking in the final moments. I took that time to really appreciate the sheer talent on stage—not just Finneas, but his entire band. The lineup included David Marinelli on the soundboard and guitar, Miles Morris on drums, Aron Forbes on bass, and Ricky Gourmet on guitar. Together, they are an unstoppable force, bringing Finneas’ music to life in a way that somehow manages to be even more powerful than the studio versions.
Finneas has been one of my biggest inspirations for years, and getting to experience his show up close was genuinely life-changing. If you haven’t listened to his music yet, do yourself a favor and change that immediately. His songs will hit you in ways you never expected, and his live performance? Absolutely electric. Days later, I’m still replaying every moment in my head.
I’ve been to more concerts than I can count, but this one? This is easily in my top five. Finneas has mastered the balance of fan interaction, vocals, energy, and pure passion. And somehow, his voice is even better live than it is in the studio. Every lyric, every note—just hits differently. If you ever get the chance to see him live, don’t hesitate. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Connect with FINNEAS: https://shop.finneasofficial.com/
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