Concert Review: MARIS 'Goes to College the Tour': I Went for the Degree but Left with So Much More

The sun is shining as I find myself in Tallahassee, Florida, the state's capital and home to Florida State and Florida A&M Universities. But did you know that nestled away between these two storied campuses is another institution—MARIS University. Locals might know it as 926 Bar, but for tonight, these four walls will transform into an unforgettable space to earn a degree. On her 'MARIS Goes to College the Tour,' MARIS is bringing higher education and incredible music to college towns across the states, and tonight for Tallahassee, class is officially in session.

For those who might not yet be familiar with the name, allow me to introduce you. MARIS is an independent singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, by way of Missoula, Montana. She has been taking pen to paper and creating music since her teenage years. In June of 2023, she released her debut EP, Gravity. Since then, she has steadily released over ten singles, created attention-grabbing visuals, and co-written for other artists. Her sound is an irresistible blend of pop and rock with 80s influences, writing from a place of lived experience and raw emotion. Her most recent releases, "Body on Fire" and "Missing Me," are reaching an ever-growing fan base as she works towards her debut album and a fall tour.

MARIS's collaborative spirit shines through in her work with Meg Smith and Molly Grace on their single "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous" and on her hit song "Give Me a Sign" with Caroline Kingsbury. The latter has accumulated over 3 million streams on Spotify and counting. She has rocked the festival stages of Boston Calling and ZACC, with upcoming appearances slated for Summerfest and Sommo Festival later in 2026. MARIS has opened for Maude Latour and The Driver Era in addition to co-headlining a tour with Caroline Kingsbury. Her stage presence is an electrifying fusion of pure joy, powerhouse vocals, and infectious energy—and I am excited to see what tonight brings.

Priming the stage for the evening are two local talents, Hardstuck and Abigail Jennings. Hardstuck, a five-piece ensemble, brings great sound and energy to the stage, led by vocalist and bassist Kemal Husnein. He is joined by Cameron Hirai on electric guitar and vocals, Emily Philpot on guitar, Eliot Shea on saxophone and vocals, and Amir Hernandez on drums. The band performs a set of all-original, unreleased material, including "L Cancel," "Blocked," "Candles," and "Out My Head," among others.

Abigail Jennings and her band follow with an equally impressive set, showcasing tracks from her 2025 album How the Rest of It Goes, available on Spotify, along with a standout Paramore cover. Abigail is no stranger to the stage, regularly performing at 926 Bar and previously opening for the band New Constellations.

As the clock strikes 9, the room is packed with adoring fans, decked out in MARIS merch, star-inspired outfits, and some sporting her signature star painted over their eyes. The lights dim as talented drummer and musician Charlie Tilton takes to his Yamaha drum kit as an ethereal voice permeates the room. MARIS steps onto the stage with a beaming smile, wearing a pink cap and gown paired with striking white, black, and red high-heel boots. She wastes no time igniting the crowd with her effortless charm and magnetic energy with her hit "The Fight." Without skipping a beat, she seamlessly moves straight into One Direction’s hit “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful.” The crowds' smiling faces said it all, and at this moment I knew tonight would be something special. 

MARIS commands every inch of the stage and connects with everyone in the room. Weaving through a dynamic set list of old and new tracks, giving the crowd everything she’s got with wardrobe changes along the way. With only her drummer by her side, the energy is immense, proving the power of her stage presence. She performs an exciting mash-up of "Going Yet" and Whitney Houston's hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." She captivates the entire room with her impressively dynamic and powerful voice singing "Goodbye Forever," with just her Fender acoustic guitar and no microphone.

MARIS's ability to bring a whole room together and create a space for everyone to be themselves is magical and a true testament to the kind of community she is building. At one moment the crowd is all holding hands while she sings "Chameleon," and the next they are in a dance circle, hyping each other up as she sings "Super F**king Mega Star." 

Neither the crowd nor her energy wavers as the night rolls on. She shreds on a pink inflatable electric guitar, then tears it up in true rockstar fashion before handing it off to a “Superstar”—the name she’s given her fans. The bond she shares with them is unmistakable, built on admiration and appreciation. During “Missing Me,” she FaceTime's with as many audience members' friends and family as possible, including them in the night's fun.

As the night comes to an end, she closes with the fan favorite, "Salt Water Taffy." Everyone's hands waving from side to side, singing—"Don't go yet I was finally happy"—perfectly mirrors the moment because MARIS brought so much happiness to the night nobody wanted it to end. As her last notes ring out, the room erupts in cheers as she takes her final bow.

To say fans tonight only received a "degree" would be an absolute understatement. MARIS delivered an outstanding performance—one that cultivated joy, built a sense of community, and created memories that will live on far beyond these four walls. As a fan myself, I left feeling the same, along with a slew of blurry photos from dancing too much. I look forward to following MARIS’s journey and seeing what the future holds—as this star is only going to shine brighter.