On September 29th, Taylor Bickett stopped in Washington, D.C. on tour for her first album titled Nothing I Can’t Undo. Performed at the intimate DC9 venue, the show felt like reconnecting with a friend as she caught you up on her life. Bickett, along with both openers, Abbi Jean and Corrina, put on an unforgettable concert.
Bickett opened her set with a performance of an early single titled “Goldstar.” This song is about growing up as a perfectionist and learning to grow out of it. Other songs performed from the album included “Firefly Collector,” “Politician,” and “Genesis.” The setlist was a balanced mix of songs from the new album, as well as early staples from her discography. Personally, I loved finally getting to hear “IDIOT!” live, an upbeat song that describes what it is like to fall for someone you swore to never have feelings for. Other fan favorites included “I Like Mondays” and the concert closer “QUARTER LIFE CRISIS,” which is probably her most well-known piece. At one point, Bickett invited Corrina onstage to perform a stunning duet mashup of Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again” and The La’s “There She Goes.”
Each song was preceded by a short anecdote explaining the story behind the song. These speeches were laid back and marked with self-deprecating humor that kept an air of lightness. It truly felt like I was catching up with an old friend, even though I had never seen Bickett in concert before.
The production itself was simple, and the stage was not elaborately set up. Bickett was accompanied by prerecorded drum tracks, keys, and a couple of guitars, one of which she played herself. The most elaborate set piece was the microphone stand wrapped in fake flowers, which added the perfect touch of whimsy. The lighting was equally laid back with minimal special effects. Pinks and purples dominated the stage lighting. At one point, during “Firefly Collector,” the lighting started to dance around the stage like fireflies, which was a perfect touch for that song. The stripped back production allowed for Bickett’s beautifully clear voice to shine.
Of course, no concert is complete without openers. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the brilliance of the opening acts. The night started with a local artist named Abbi Jean, who performed four songs including her new release “Guilty.” Her voice was captivating, highlighting her emotionally raw lyrics. Abbi Jean has an album releasing later this month, and after hearing her in concert, I am very excited to hear it.
Following Jean was Corrina, who was absolutely incredible. She had a personable energy as she frequently chatted with the audience and explained some of the stories behind her songs. What really moved me in her performance were her vocals, which had an immaculate mix of angelic and raw. Both of these artists, in voice and style, felt like perfect leadups to Bickett’s performance.
After counting down to this night for many months since buying the tickets in May, I can confidently say that the experience was everything I hoped for and more. September 29th is a night I will be revisiting for a long time. It was a joy getting to see Taylor Bickett in person after having her on my shortlist of artists to see live. One thing is for certain: I will be seeing her again the next time she comes to the D.C. area, and if indie music is up your alley, you should consider buying a ticket as well.