Only a couple months ago, Staged Haze published an interview with Your Smith, where I was lucky enough to ask her about motherhood, creative rebirth, and the making of her new album The Rub. In that piece, I mentioned how her show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia was the last concert I saw before Covid, so when this new tour was announced, it immediately felt full circle. There was no way I was missing her New York date.
This past Thursday, I made my way to Racket to see her perform. Opening was Mal Not Bad, an artist I hadn’t heard before but instantly followed on Spotify after her set. Her tender, introspective indie-pop sound was the perfect introduction to the night, full of songs that made you smile, sway, and reflect.
Anyone who follows Your Smith online knows how refreshingly genuine she is, always sharing glimpses of her life with humor and honesty. I already knew she was a few months pregnant, but seeing her step onto the stage in white jeans, blue Tabis, and a T-shirt framing her baby bump still felt like a moment. She radiated confidence and ease. The crowd couldn’t help shouting “Mother!” and it somehow felt both funny and reverent.
It might not seem like pregnancy would change the energy of a show, but watching her perform while carrying new life was deeply moving. Switching between electric, acoustic, and bass guitars, she exuded both strength and calm. I couldn’t help but think about her baby already being surrounded by music in such a powerful way.
The set opened with “Change of Heart,” the first track from The Rub. Her voice filled the room with warmth and clarity, instantly pulling everyone in. The audience smiled, sang along, and even wiped away tears.
Next came “Man of Weakness” from her 2019 EP Wild Wild Woman, performed with her longtime bandmates Arlen Peiffer on guitar and Jesse Schuster on bass. The acapella opening line, “Holy shit, this could be it, it’s bound to stick this time,” landed like a lightning bolt.
Before diving back into songs from The Rub, she greeted the crowd and said how good it felt to be back in New York for the first time since 2019. “This one’s about being a mother,” she added before playing “Hey There’s My Girl,” one of her sweetest tracks. Moments later, she surprised the audience with “The Spot,” then moved into fan favorite “Peaches.”
The most touching moment of the night came with “Little Highways.” Her voice was effortless and emotional, and when she repeated “It’s me and you, baby,” the entire room seemed to soften. She laughed about how her growing belly was pushing into her lungs, making singing harder, but you’d never have known. If anything, it added to the intimacy of the moment.
From “In Between Plans” to “Debbie” to “Bad Habit,” each song felt like revisiting a different era of her artistry. There was a sense of gratitude and nostalgia in every note. When she launched into “Wild Wild Woman,” the crowd’s energy reached its peak. She danced across the stage with so much joy that it was impossible not to join in.
She closed with “Mr. Revival,” the high-energy track from The Rub that sent everyone home buzzing. Watching Your Smith perform—radiant, funny, grounded, and fully in her element—felt less like attending a concert and more like sharing in a celebration of growth, love, and pure musical joy.
Your Smith’s run of fall shows concludes with a performance in Los Angeles on November 22, and a special hometown show in Minneapolis on December 11.
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