Knee-high, fur-covered boots lined the rainy streets of Philadelphia on Monday night, clear evidence that the weather had nothing on the fans of BENEE. Following the release of her first album since her debut, the New Zealand–born singer-songwriter arrived in the city to celebrate her sophomore project, Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles.
Brooklyn native and former member of The Skins Bayli took the stage first with a high-energy set. Cheeky and playful, she even crowned a lucky audience member the “princess” before launching into “Passenger Princess.” Setlist standouts included “sushi for breakfast” and an unbeatable cover of Frank Ocean’s “Super Rich Kids.”
Undeniably herself, BENEE stepped onto the stage at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, opening with “Sad Boii,” the fourth track off her latest album. She followed it with “Cinnamon” and then “Vegas,” pausing to share the story behind the song—one that involved a near spur-of-the-moment marriage that ultimately didn’t happen. “Sometimes, you just need a song to headbang to,” she told the crowd.
Her set stretched well beyond the new record, pulling in fan favorites like “Wishful Thinking” and “Glitter” from her 2019 EP, FIRE ON MARZZ.
One of the best parts of watching an artist live is seeing whether they’re actually enjoying themselves, and BENEE clearly was. Between songs, she bantered with the crowd, pointed out the designated “passenger princess” from earlier, and even tested out her American accent before slipping into a stripped-down version of “Doesn’t Matter.” At one point, she handed the spotlight over to her guitarist and drummer, giving them room to shine.
No BENEE set would feel complete without an energetic “Supalonely,” and she capped off the night with “Green Honda,” closing out a set that felt both loosey-goosey and deeply her own. The Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles tour proves that even in the rain, BENEE’s world is one fans are more than willing to step into.
