Powfu Takes Over Antone’s Nightclub: Concert Recap – Billboard

Going to a Powfu present is lots like hanging out with a childhood good friend for the night. For his first-ever tour following the TikTok-viral success of “Demise Mattress (Espresso for Your Head),” the 23-year-old Canadian singer (actual identify Isaiah Faber) created a heat, welcoming surroundings for his group of devoted followers – not in contrast to the sense of consolation that his 2020 hit introduced for thousands and thousands of listeners throughout some of the unpredictable durations of time in historical past.

You’d by no means suppose it was Faber’s first sequence of dwell gigs, given his spectacular vocal capacity all through the strong 24-song set at Antone’s Nightclub in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night time (June 22). He additionally oozes pure onstage charisma, stuffed with candid conversations with attendees within the entrance row and a dry humorousness, balanced with uncooked moments of vulnerability.

“I actually recognize you popping out right here. It means lots to me,” he shared with the group earlier than performing “I Might By no means Be Cherished,” which he revealed was one of many first songs he’d ever written. “After I wrote it, I used to be in a bizarre spot in life. I used to be working a part-time job, waking up, doing the identical factor every single day. I’d get house, I performed video video games, I used to be making music just a little bit. I didn’t have a girlfriend. I didn’t even know what a relationship was like. I didn’t have any mates or hang around with anybody, and I simply felt like I wasn’t doing something with my life. I felt fairly lonely and unhappy, however I wished to vary that.”

“So, mainly, I began studying, began looking for new mates, I give up my job that I didn’t like, I discovered a brand new job. I began to vary what my life was. I’m glad I did that, as a result of numerous good issues got here from it. I ended up discovering a spouse, I made a bunch of mates, I’m now touring america which is loopy,” he continued. “Most significantly, I’m feeling happier and I don’t really feel alone. I do know there’s state of affairs you guys are in that you just most likely can’t change, otherwise you really feel such as you’re caught in and also you may really feel hopeless. When you hold your eyes open and also you keep looking out and keep affected person, there might be doorways that open. It’s going to be scary however change is what that you must do, proper? When you don’t change, change isn’t going to occur. Be cautious, be prepared and take that leap of religion.”

And like hanging out with a pal, between these heart-to-heart conversations is an entire lot of enjoyable. Whereas performing onstage in entrance of a sequence of anime-inspired onscreen visuals, rocking a Hunter X Hunter t-shirt, Faber selected followers from the group to participate in a nostalgic Beyblade competitors. The chosen ones, two exhilarated youngsters named Danny and Austin, stood within the middle of a fan-made circle within the crowd, crouching over a toy area and every holding one of many early 2000’s-era spinning prime toys. Isaiah’s music director and onstage instrumentalist Eric promptly started enjoying the theme music from the beloved Japanese tv sequence as the group shouted out, “Let it rip!” After a fast however intense Beyblade battle, Danny got here out victorious and Faber took the t-shirt off his again (actually) and threw it into the group for a fortunate concertgoer to maintain.

To wrap up the set, Faber carried out fan-favorite observe “Sleeping on the Ground” and, after all, “Demise Mattress,” his Beabadoobee-assisted hit that peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Scorching 100 songs chart, skyrocketing Powfu from Abbotsford, Canada’s proficient kid-next-door to licensed rock star.

Regardless of that newfound star standing, Faber is absolutely nonetheless his followers’ greatest good friend. After the present, the complete venue of supporters — a few of whom drove greater than six hours to see the set — stood in line to satisfy the artist, who spoke at size with every particular person attendee alongside present openers Ouse and Snøw, taking selfies and earnestly expressing his appreciation for each single one that got here out to see him. Faber’s devotion to kindness and humility permits his star energy to increase past his artwork, leaving us wanting to hang around with him time and again within the years to return.

See Powfu’s total setlist beneath, which included the Travis Barker collaboration “Mario Kart” and the love music “A Fortress by the Sea” devoted to his spouse Tashi, plus a canopy of Plain White T’s 2006 hit, “Hey There Delilah.”

I Can’t Sleep
Mario Kart
Future Diary
The Approach That You See Me
I Might By no means Be Cherished
Days We Had
Stay4Ever
Too Many Issues
Snowflake
Breakups Suck Ass
Hey There Delilah (Plain White T’s Cowl)
Holy Spirit
A Fortress By the Sea
The Hearth in Your Eyes
Laying on My Porch
I’ll Come Again to You
Would Look Excellent
I’m Used to It
Useless Eyes (with Ouse)
MindUrManners
Demise Mattress (Espresso For Your Head)
Sleeping On the Ground