Photos and words by Dani Weinstein
I’ve never seen so many happy tears in a crowd. Faye Webster played a sold out show at Union Transfer in Philly (with opener Maya Hawke) on Saturday, 8/20. The doors opened at 7:30pm and Maya got started exactly an hour later, giving the crowd a preview of her yet to be released sophomore album Moss, which she first publicized during her appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show. Maya sang the album’s debut single, “Thérèse”, and the crowd instantly grew louder. From start to finish, Maya’s energy was amazing, beaming her impassioned love of music into the crowd. I hope I have another chance to see Maya perform live.
While waiting for Faye to come out with her band, a blow up of her face (with light up eyes) was brought onto the stage. The crowd loved the teaser and, before we knew it, she came on. Faye opened with her song Better Distractions” from her album I Know I’m Funny Haha. She played a vintage Harmony Stratotone Jupiter throughout her set and also surprised the crowd with one of her favorite Pokémon songs, “Lake Verity”, that she “plays all day at her lake house”. Out of all the concerts I have been to, Faye’s interaction with the crowd was unrivaled. She matched her fans’ energy – taking someone’s phone for a picture, and saying hi to someone’s friend on FaceTime. Faye’s fans showered her with gifts, and she could not have been more humble and appreciative. She even set them up on the stage, and wore a cowboy hat that was gifted from the barricade. The crowd showed their love from the beginning to the end, and were some of the most respectful fans I have seen.
The stage was cleared for “Half of Me”, as Faye soulfully delivered her last song of the evening. She wrapped her emotional solo and left the stage, but the crowd chanted for an encore, hoping the singer would come back and play her biggest hit, “Kingston” (music video below). Faye did not disappoint. She and the band returned to the stage and her fans rushed back to sing along to “Kingston” at the top of their lungs.
Faye Webster’s tour is sadly wrapping up, with only two shows remaining. I am not surprised her show was sold out, now having witnessed the crowd and their love for Faye. I hope to see her live again, because I definitely have post-concert depression after seeing her perform. Being able to photograph one of my favorite artists and capture her raw emotion was a surreal experience. From start to finish, Faye kept the crowd in happy tears and gave many fans like me an unforgettable experience.
