Read previous – Lizzy McAlpine at the TLA
Photos and words by Dani Weinstein
Indie pop singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine brought her The End of The Movie Tour to The Fillmore Philly on Saturday, April 29th. Having played the smaller TLA this past fall (coverage here), she needed to step up to a larger space this time around. Especially beloved in her hometown, McAlpine could presumably sell out any sized venue in Philly.
After opener Olivia Barton, the lights went dark at 9pm and suddenly the stage illuminated a set that looked just like home. The stage wall filled with framed photos looked over a green velvet couch, a rack of clothes, and a piano. Lizzy made her hometown show feel just like we were all sitting in her living room. From this entrance, I knew the entirety of the show was going to be amazing, and I was right.
Lizzy then came out and the crowd went ecstatic, releasing all of their heartfelt love for her. She started her set off with “An Ego Thing” from her 2022 LP Five Seconds Flat, and continued with “Over-the-Ocean-Call” and “Firearm”. With each song, the crowd’s energy echoed throughout the whole venue from beginning to end. I’ve never seen such loving fans. The lights onstage beamed on each note and faces everywhere glowed with smiles and happy tears. During “Give Me A Minute”, fans waved signs reading Welcome Home and Lizzy’s face radiated with gratitude.
Lizzy shared two unreleased songs, and enticed the crowd to join along with her new song “I Guess”. It’s impossible to call my favorite part of the show, but this was by far one of the most amazing things I have ever seen an artist do. Not only did she express gratitude to her fans and reminisce about her start of making music in the suburbs just outside of Philly, but she created a relationship with every single person in the venue. Lizzy’s voice is beyond beautiful live and gave me chills throughout the entirety of the show.
She wrapped up with “Pancakes For Dinner” and “Orange Show Speedway”, and when fans thought it was all over, they were greeted with something else. Upon exiting the venue, fans were given a free tote bag filled with a thank you note and a Wawa brownie, Lizzy’s “all time favorite meal” from her “all time favorite Philly spot”. She created such a connection throughout her hometown show and wrapped it up with an even more touching gift. Watching Lizzy perform live will be something I will remember forever, and I hope she knows that Philly will always welcome her home.
Lizzy McAlpine is just about wrapping up The End of The Movie Tour, but will be part of the ridiculously stellar dream lineup playing the 2-day All Things Go festival this fall at Merriweather Post Pavilion in MD along with boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, MUNA, beabadoobee and many others. See all of her upcoming tour dates here and watch her music video for “ceilings” below.