NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Unless you are an indie rock fan, Phoebe Bridgers was a relative unknown (even though she had four Grammy nominations) until she played Saturday Night Live and smashed (up for debate) her guitar. All of a sudden, everyone knew who she was! Those of you already in the know had heard and loved her debut record “Stranger In The Alps” and her collaborative efforts in boygenius (with Julien Baker & Lucy Dacus) and Better Oblivion Community Center (with Conor Oberst). The release of acclaimed album Punisher (June 2020) was supposed to coincide with her tour with The 1975 but that was not to be. Instead, we’re getting a headlining tour in 2021!
This summer, live music events have been a story of fans getting excited and the music industry finally back to work. However, it’s also been a story of cancelled shows and tours due to sick band members or performers watching out for their own welfare as well as the welfare of their fans. So who knew that when Phoebe Bridgers announced that she would only play outdoor venues for her Reunion Tour, that it would be a benefit to me? All of a sudden, she was playing at ArtPark in Lewiston, just a short drive away! The show was only for fully vaccinated fans and everyone, including staff, had to wear masks. This was probably the most comfortable I’ve felt in a large crowd in quite awhile.
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The opening band was supposed to be LA-based MUNA, who also happened to be signed to Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records label. Many of their songs speak to LGBTQ issues including their latest “Silk Chiffon”, a collaboration with Bridgers, which satirizes conversion camps. I’ve been following MUNA since 2016 and their song “I Know a Place“, performed at Bowery Ballroom in NYC (with a few added lyrics) were my anthem for the last few years! Phoebe Bridgers and MUNA on the same bill…what a lineup!!
Sadly, a band member fell ill and MUNA had to cancel. But it was a beautiful night in Lewiston and Bridgers’ guitarist Harrison Whitford gamely filled in with a short set. It was an unexpected turn of events but the crowd cheered nevertheless. People have been waiting a long time for live music to come back and a happy mood pervaded the evening.
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With an extra long break between artists, the crowd was getting more and more anxious for Phoebe Bridgers to appear. When she did, the fans went nuts with many calls of “I love you Phoebe”! She opened with “Motion Sickness”, which remains my favorite to this day. With fun art as a backdrop and their eponymous skeleton outfits, she cranked through her songs, stopping to provide humorous quips about what each song was about. After shooting, I was able to sit in the back, close my eyes, and let the emotions of Bridgers amazing songs flow through me. She closed the regular part of her set with “I Know The End”. Love love love!
Setlist
Motion Sickness
DVD Menu
Garden Song
Kyoto
Punisher
Halloween
Smoke Signals
Chinese Satellite
Moon Song
Savior Complex
Funeral
ICU
Scott Street
Me & My Dog
Graceland
I Know The End
That Funny Feeling (encore)
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