Concert Review: Molly Grace Has All of the Bowery Ballroom 'Blush'ing on Her New York City Tour Stop

The sun is beginning to set as a crisp breeze moves over the streets of Manhattan.  I make my way to Delancey Street on the Lower East Side through the hustle and bustle of the evening crowd.  Nestled in between a sea of buildings, I found myself outside of the iconic Bowery Ballroom. A building that has become synonymous with the NYC music scene and one filled with a rich historical past.  Tonight the line stretches well beyond the entrance, making its way down and around the block. The Bowery Ballroom has provided a stage for some of the most incredible talents in the music world.  And tonight is no different.  Poised with powerhouse vocals and undeniable stage presence, Molly Grace is set to take the stage for an incredible night of music.

Molly Grace, for those who might not yet be familiar, is a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee. She is currently embarking across North America on her 'Blush' tour, which will hit twenty-nine cities along the way.  This tour is a vibrant celebration of her debut album, 'Blush,' released on September 26, 2025. Originally from Lexington, Massachusetts, her musical journey began early in life.  Growing up in a music-loving family, she was inspired by various genres of music and began theater around the age of seven. Drawn to Nashville for its music and collaborative spirit, she became a student at Belmont University.  In 2021 she released her first EP, 'Everybody Wants to Know Molly.'  The following year she released a slough of singles that included "Not the One," "Sweet September," and "Ghostin'." Her EP 'Lovesick' was released in November of 2023, followed by her first headline tour in 2024.  It was the viral success of her song "Women's Intuition" and most notably "F.E.M.M.E.," with 2.6 million streams, in early 2025 that garnered her even more of a following. Molly has also made waves on the festival scene, performing at Bonnaroo and All Things Go.  Her debut album is a body of work that can only be characterized as fun, flirtatious, and vulnerable.  'Blush' is more than just an album but a "reflection of the human experience," as she describes.  It's a declaration of Molly living her life, loving openly, and being unapologetically herself as a member of the queer community.  And tonight, the anticipation to share in the celebration is palpable.

The room is packed, and the stage is set, as the light from above shines on a guitar and drum set.  Dressed in a silver outfit highlighted with pink and black accents, silver platform boots, a striking pair of angel wings, and a halo, Meg Smith begins the evening with a truly electrifying performance.  With halos and wings worn by fans throughout the room, she is greeted with loud cheers as this New York-based artist is right at home.  Meg Smith is captivating and moves through a flawless setlist with songs like "Winner," "Your Fake British Accent," and "Jodi" showcasing her versatility. 

Equipped with a decibel reader, Meg allows the crowd to choose between four songs based on the volume of cheers as part of her setlist.  The choices: "I Kissed a Girl," "Hit Me Baby One More Time," a classic ABBA track, or a four-minute interpretive drum solo by her talented drummer Chris Peters.  Though the competition is fierce and, hilariously, the drum solo was a close second, "Hit Me Baby One More Time" wins in the end.  The venue instantly transforms into a giant karaoke session, and the whole crowd is singing and dancing.  

In honor of her sophomore album, "Disco Dystopia," coming out November 7, 2025, Meg treats the crowd to her newest single, "Carlos, Get in the Car," with none other than Carlos Antonio himself joining her on stage.  She continues the night with "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous," a hit in itself, but it was re-released with the talented Molly Grace and MARIS on the track.  She plays a pink sparkling electric guitar and pulls out an epic alto saxophone, accompanied by Stefan Haerle on tenor sax, for the song "Jesus Christ in a Mini Skirt."  Meg Smith leaves this New York crowd on an exhilarating and unforgettable note, and I look forward to catching her on many more stages in the future. 

The clock strikes 9 pm, and the lights dim as a collective roar of excitement erupts from the audience.  Talented singers McKenna Hall and Bella Melius take to the stage in coordinated black lace dresses offset by white mid-calf go-go boots.  Gifted drummer Grace Goodman takes a seat behind her stacked drum kit.  The intro to the hit "Lemme" echoes throughout the Bowery.  Molly Grace dances onto the stage wearing a black corset bodysuit complemented by bright red tights and platform pumps. A sultry red lip completes the ensemble.  With an infectious smile on her face, she looks out into the crowd and takes in the joyful energy from the room. She raises the microphone up to her lips and wastes no time showcasing her vocal talents.  Performing songs from her entire debut album and older fan favorites, Molly perfectly weaves through a setlist of upbeat tracks, mid-tempo tunes, and ballads.  Songs like "Soprano," "WYKYK," and "Mad at Her Forever" truly showcase her pop, disco, funk, and soul influences.  She commands every inch of the stage and connects with her fans. Even making some of them blush with her engaging and magnetic personality.  

In a beautiful moment, Molly sings "Soft" to a completely captivated crowd. With no microphone and only her Epiphone acoustic guitar, she demonstrates the purity of her artistry.  As the evening moves on, the energy in the room never wavers thanks to the connection she shares with her two friends and backup singers, McKenna and Bella.  They claim the spotlight themselves as they trade verses, singing a cool rendition of Avril Lavigne's smash hit "Complicated."  

Continuing this evening of pure joy, Molly somehow manages to do the impossible. Although it wasn't Sunday, she transforms the Bowery Ballroom into the divine church of Grace. She performs her soulful, gospel-inspired smash hit "Heaven's Sent," blowing the roof off the place. Molly fills the room with confidence, community, and empowerment as she closes out the night with the smash hit F.E.M.M.E. 

It was truly an unforgettable night. And I can't find a better way than in Molly Grace's own words to say: the night was "fabulous, enticing, magnetic, magical, and everything"!  It is a performance that solidifies her status, and the future holds nothing but limitless potential for this undeniable star.

A Note on the Tour: Molly's tour runs through November 22nd, so be sure to grab a ticket; a portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting LIFEBEAT and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.