I first stumbled upon Blondshell on TikTok in 2023, through a clip of her performing “Salad,” a fan favorite off her self-titled debut album released that same year. I’d been itching to see her live ever since, and on May 30th, I finally made it happen during a sold out night at The Fonda Theatre.

Sabrina Teitelbaum, professionally known as Blondshell, opened the show with “23’s A Baby,” a track from her newly released sophomore album, If You Asked For a Picture. The introspective yet danceable song kicked off night two of her tour with electric energy. Teitelbaum took the stage in a baggy shirt and genes, her curly, and appropriately blonde hair bounced with each step as she crossed the stage to serenade her fans. 

The setlist had something for everyone, from older favorites like “Kiss City” and “Tarmac” from her debut album, to newer releases such “He Wants Me” and “Toy” off the latest. But one of the most memorable moments was when - as I crossed the balcony - I heard two excited fans whispering about the next song. I couldn’t quite catch the title, but the second I heard that slow rhythm of the guitar mixing with the elated screams of the crowd, I knew… I was about to witness Blondshell’s latest TikTok moment: her cover of Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi.” Teitelbaum recently appeared on Sirius XMU and stripped the viral pop hit down to an addictive indie groove that I have not stopped humming since I heard it.

By the halfway point, Teitelbaum had thrown her hair into a messy updo, further embracing her casual, conversational presence. A Blondshell show isn’t a polished pop spectacle, it’s an intimate performance on any stage, in any room. After leaving and returning to the stage for the encore, she sat on the edge of the drum riser. She began “Event of a Fire,” a more bare-bones gem which makes good on Tietelbaum’s promise for heavier themes on the new album. 

Sadly, it was time to say goodbye, but not before bringing things full circle with that same song that brought me here: Salad. It was just one of many highlights throughout the night, but for me it was the best, striking the same angsty, cathartic chord as many other tracks in Blondshell’s discography. The perfect finale for the perfect show.

For anyone experiencing their own Blondshell discovery, I hope you find your way to a show very soon. The New York native still has a large number of tour dates available through the end of the year. Her new album, If You Asked For a Picture, is out now and is absolutely worth a listen.