In December 2023, I conducted my first-ever artist interview with Jaida Stephenson, bassist of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. We talked about the band’s trajectory, their Riot Grrrl influences, and their dream of touring America. At the time, they were fresh off the release of I Love You, a punchy debut that would go on to win Best Independent Punk Album at the 2023 AIR Awards. It felt like the beginning of something big, and I was obsessed with the fact that they decided to start the band after watching “School of Rock”, one of my Letterboxed Top 4 movies.
A year and a half later, I’ve now seen them live twice: first at Mercury Lounge in September 2024—just after they opened for Foo Fighters—and again last night at Baby’s All Right, where they kicked off their first-ever North American headlining tour with shows in NYC, LA, and Toronto. Since we last crossed paths, they’ve opened for Pearl Jam, added international tour dates, and continued building a global fanbase. From openers to headliners, their rise feels both rapid and well-earned.
As soon as I heard they were coming back to NYC, I jumped at the chance to see them live again—and so did a lot of other people. Fans packed into the venue early, camping out in front for a good view. The crowd was buzzing before a single note played, and the energy never dipped.
Before the set even began, I watched the band set up their own gear. There was something about that moment—equal parts casual and committed—that reminded me how scrappy they still are, even with major accolades and arena gigs under their belt. I’m sure touring with Pearl Jam was a dream come true, but it’s clear that playing a room like Baby’s All Right, where they can feel every scream and see every face, is where they thrive most.
Opening the night was New York City’s own Dallas Wax, a five-piece band blending punk rock, psychedelia, and blues. Their set felt gritty and expansive, like something out of a dream where late-’60s garage rock never ended. The band brought the kind of opener energy that makes you want to look them up on the spot. Their debut EP, The Air We Breathe, dropped last year and is worth a listen.
Then came the main event. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers took the stage to immediate screams and cheers. They’ve always had an effortlessly cool presence, but something about this show felt different—like they’d truly stepped into their own. Lead singer Anna Ryan’s vocals were outrageously good—raw, powerful, and impossible to ignore. They can belt, and more importantly, they know how to use that voice to serve the emotional core of each song. As a frontperson, Anna was magnetic: interacting constantly with their bandmates, drawing the audience in, and bringing every lyric fully to life.
Neve van Boxsel, their drummer, might be one of the best I’ve ever seen. Her playing was relentless but precise, full of personality without ever overwhelming the rest of the band. Seeing Scarlett McKahey on lead guitar this time around was a highlight—she hadn’t been at the September show, so watching the full lineup back together added a real sense of completeness to the night. And of course, Jaida Stephenson held it all down on bass, a grounding presence with a sharp edge. Scarlett’s love for New York was literal—she had “I Love NY” printed on her outfit—and the whole band echoed that sentiment pretty much between every song, shouting out their love for the city with genuine excitement. It was clear they weren’t just happy to be on tour—they were thrilled to be back here.
The setlist pulled from across their catalog, including early tracks like “I Like You Like That” (2019), hits from I Love You (“Treat Me Better,” “I Don’t Want It,” “Salt,” “Lights Out”), and cuts from their 2022 EP Pretty Good for a Girl Band like “Up to Summit” and “Girl Sports.”
“Girl Sports” in particular hit hard, with the entire room shouting along to the lyric “You’re pretty good for a girl band!”—a tongue-in-cheek jab at the way women in rock are so often underestimated. It was one of those moments that felt like catharsis, joy, and rebellion all at once.
Other highlights included their “Like a Version” mashup of “Happier Than Ever” and “All I Wanted,” which had the whole venue singing along, and the band’s newest single “Balcony,” which was met with wild enthusiasm. A hilarious moment came when Neve introduced “Cayenne Pepper” by saying, “This song lasts longer than my ex,” before launching into the 20-second burst of energy.
They also played newer collaborations like “Dull” (with Softcult) and “Please Me” (with The Linda Lindas), both from the deluxe edition of “I Love You.” These tracks showcase the band’s continued evolution and commitment to uplifting other women in punk.
This wasn’t just a show—it was a celebration. Of growth, of girlhood, of music that doesn’t ask permission to take up space. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are more than “pretty good for a girl band.” They’re one of the most exciting punk bands on the rise, period. And based on last night’s crowd, a lot more people are starting to catch on.
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