Sweet Sound Bites: Billie Eilish @ Popscene 9/9/2016

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Billie Eilish @ Popscene 9/9/2016

Rickshaw Stop hosted Popscene on Friday September 9th with the fresh faced new artist, Billie Eilish making her SF debut opening for MCHL.

Billie Eilish @ Popscene 9/9/2016
Photo by Marc Fong

People were still staggering into the show as Billie Eilish and her under-age entourage hit the stage close to 10:00. With huge black Xs across both hands, it was easy to see that the whole band, including the white haired songstress, were under-age or straight edge and proud. But, I would have never guessed just how young the leading lady actually is. Heartfelt lyrics about heartache and damaged indifference age her well beyond 14 years old. Soft vocals harboring deep emotions carried the first song of of the set, her most recent single "Six Feet Under". Her airy falsetto un-pretentiously romanticized a Lana Del Rey kinship while her bashful stage presence played well with the warm delivery of songs with otherwise cold themes.

Billie Eilish @ Popscene 9/9/2016
Photo by Marc Fong

The all boy band behind her, which consisted of a synth player, a drummer on an electric drum kit and bassist, had a shy feel too, hardly lifting their gaze from their respective instruments. Unassuming backup vocals from the synth player, gently coincided with Billie's, so much so that their light harmony went almost untraceable. Tuning a ukulele, the young leading lady opened up a bit, playfully introducing a song about "an interesting way to break up with someone". It turned out to be sassy outlook on the unsavory situation of being dumped on your birthday.

Flashes of swirling lights casually illuminated Billie on the dark stage, casting a hauntingly romantic aesthetic throughout the small venue.

Billie Eilish @ Popscene 9/9/2016
Photo by Marc Fong

She sweetly thanked Popscene founder, Aaron Axelsen for being cool before ending the short set with her critically acclaimed single, "Ocean Eyes". The introspective allure of her music flawlessly translates to the stage. There's no denying that Billie Eilish has found her voice, now we'll see her to grow as a performer.