NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2026
As an Asian American, it has always been hard to find musicians that “look like me”, let along be successful in the music industry outside of the classical genre, especially before the 21st century. There were always exceptions such as James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins,etc. Since 2000, something shifted and artists like Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and Norah Jones have become super successful. They also do not look strictly Asian and it wasn’t until the 2010’s when many more Asian Americans, such as Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, and others have found success.
Born to Chinese immigrants in 1999, Emei (nee Emily Li) is one of those finding success, making her way and establishing a dedicated Gen Z and Gen A fanbase. After placing third at Chinese Idol when she was just fifteen, she started writing and releasing music while attending Yale. Her 2022 single “Late to the Party”, about her being bummed at where she was in life, went viral and she moved to LA and went all in on her music career. She has been pretty prolific with releasing EP’s, with her fifth, Night at the Opera, released on June 12th. I have to admit that it’s nice to finally see a majority songs from her that are over three minutes long! I’ve been tracking her music since getting an email from her publicist back in 2023 and am happy that, after missing out on her last two tours, I’m finally able to cover her on the Night at the Opera tour, which stopped at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on October 13, 2026. The line was already very long before doors, with many fans decked out in their favorite Emei styled corset! At one point, Emei’s backup dancers came outside in their white leotards and masks to silently wish everyone good time at the concert!
Opening the show was singer/songwriter/producer googly eyes (aka googs nee Bethany Warner). Originally from Houston and made music previously as Deza, she was the first artist signed to Tove Lo’s Pretty Swede Records label. After releasing her debut EP Starlet in 2024, she release her most recent EP paint me like one of your fav american girls in March of this year and supported Ashnikko this spring. Dressed in a very cool blue top with a semi-sheer skirt, googs reached and stretched her way across the stage, with her long expressive arms at the forefront. Her music reminds me very much of Tove Lo’s pop dance sensibilities and made for a very upbeat and fun start to the evening. As with much of Emei’s music, almost all the songs are under three minutes. I think that works great from a Spotify perspective (shorter songs mean more plays), it unfortunately makes a short set feel even shorter.
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The headlining set began with backup dancers moving about the darkly red lit stage. When Emei emerged, she kicked off her set with the theatrical “Night at the Opera”, a high energy performance that revved the crowd from zero to ten in seconds! Emei has always said that she’s a theatre kid and you can tell this is true just based on this one song. She followed with “That Girl” from her debut EP End of an Era and “Irresponsible” from 2023’s Scatterbrain before driving the crowd wild with “Late to the Party”.
In between songs, she would address the audience, sometimes quickly but sometimes with a story. Armed with a dazzling smile and an easygoing manner, you felt like she was talking to you directly instead of to a large crowd, and she quickly had her young fans eating out of the palm of her hand. Everyone was dancing and singing along, shouting when prompted, turning their cell phone lights on when asked, etc…a perfect concert audience! I do have to say that the hitting of the drum bit felt a bit cliche but she seemed to be having such a good time that it was hard not to smile. The highlight of the evening, for me, was when she came onto the floor, sat down on the ground (and had everyone around her sit) so that she could talk and sing to the crowd. She talked about her grandmother and how she had died last year, sending Emei into a depression. She dedicated “Ginger Tea” to her grandmother’s memory, a beautiful few moments in the middle of the show.
After such a quiet and emotional interlude, we were eased back into the show with “9 Lives” from 2024’s Rabbithole before upping the tempo back up with “Bloom” from her latest. Towards the end of the set when I oftentimes would see audience member start heading for the exit to beat the crowd and traffic. Not tonight! Everyone stayed until the very end, especially when Emei cranked up the speed and energy with “What’s the Point” during the encore! What an incredible way to wrap up the show! And for those that stuck around outside the venue to see their favorite little superstar, she did come out to meet them, take pictures, and autograph whatever they had on hand.
Emei’s persona and music has been very specific to whatever point in life that she was living in and I’m looking forward to seeing her evolve and adapt as she get older. The sky’s the limit!
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