INDIE-POP SENSATION SNAIL MAIL RICOCHETS IN PHILLY

April 24, 2026

3–4 minutes

Snail Mail | The Fillmore | Philadelphia, PA

April 16, 2026

Photographed by Sammy Quinlan

Indie-pop powerhouse Snail Mail has been hiding under our noses for ages. Slowly but surely, she has built a consistent fanbase with influences of grunge, pop and rock. Almost a decade ago, Snail Mail’s first EP Habit was released when founder Lindsay Jordan was just 17 years old. In the artist’s early days, she played DIY tours and small shows outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and soon after signed a record deal for her debut album Lush. Off her debut, hit song “Pristine” soared, taking Snail Mail to new levels of commercial success. Now, along a truly adventurous journey, Snail Mail has dropped the album Ricochet, an 11-song journey through life’s existentially anxious ways.

The night opened with the Chicago hailing Sharp Pins. Band leader Kai Slater has created the perfect mixture of 70s rock and roll while bringing in modern indie influences. Following Sharp Pins came the iconic Swirlies. This Boston-formed band has been a staple influence in the indie and show-gaze scene. Both bands took the stage with grace and poise, warming up the crowd for a night of powerful vocals and stellar instrumental performances.

The house lights dimmed, signaling the show’s start. The touring musicians of Snail Mail took to the stage with Jordan following soon after, walking out in a dim purplish-blue light to a very excited crowd. The night began with the first two tracks off her newest record Ricochet. The initial strums of “Tracker Beam” echoed off the walls and the stage illuminated. The stage was dressed with a white picket fence surrounding the percussionist and key/stand-up bass player who stood next to a house stage piece.

Snail Mail’s lighting was a sight to behold; each moment was lit with the perfect hue matching the mood of every song with ease. The night sailed along without a hitch, many fans singing together, even holding each other in an embrace as they heard the songs that have allowed them to express themselves live. The crowd was full of every type of person from every age demographic — there wasn’t an inch of judgment or restriction in the room, just people coming together to enjoy live music.

The entirety of Ricochet was played, giving fans a taste of the album they’ve been streaming nonstop for the past month. Songs like “Agony Freak” and “Butterfly” left the crowd in awe of the passion and talent that oozed from the stage. The album portrays a mix of vibes, including the upbeat indie sounds mixed with personal and hard hitting lyrics we know and love her for. A lot of the tracks focus heavily on the instrumental which leaves listeners in a trance-like state, especially after experiencing them live.

Jordan was beaming throughout the night; with every in-between moment there was an inside joke or interaction between the band or the crowd.

“We are so happy you graced us with your presence tonight,” Jordan said.

The two-song encore was the perfect ending to an electric night. The closing performances began with “Thinning,” a track off of her first EP Habit. Die hard fans sang back each line with an undying amount of passion. The night closed out with one of Snail Mail’s most notable tracks “Pristine.” The room was filled with the same emotion that the song holds: a confessional letter to an ex partner. The lyrics of the bridge were sung back loudly.

“If it’s not supposed to be / Then I’ll just let it be / And out of everyone / Be honest with me / Who do you change for? / Who’s top of your world? / And out of everyone / Who’s your type of girl?”