Bubble guns, poetic interludes, green wigs, kazoo playing, and breathtaking vocals are all things you can expect when it comes to seeing Hemlocke Springs live. Springs is one of the most unapologetically unique artists today, expressing herself through her art in bright colors, unconventional clothing and makeup that requires a double take. Her music sparks an incredible sense of joy in anyone who listens. Her first EP going…going…GONE! was released in 2023 featuring “girlfriend,” the song that opened a lot of new ears to her music.
Between then and 2025, she spread her radiancy across the world on one off shows, small tours and opening for acts such as Muna, Ashnikko, Doja Cat, Conan Gray and Chappell Roan. In 2025 she began teasing her debut album the apple tree under the sea, which dropped in February of this year).
Philadelphia’s Union Transfer had the privilege of hosting the iconic neon-haired artist and producer for her tour, which highlights her debut album through an electrifying live performance full of props, dancing and mystical storylines.
Alongside the tour announcement in February, Springs also gave a tour guideline for each city so no one had to struggle on what to wear. There were three themes that a handful of shows were assigned to: Sea of 1000 Colors, Garden of Unearthly Delights and A Neon Fantasy. Philadelphia dressed to impress with the Garden of Unearthly Delights theme. Large flower crowns and garden chic with hints of fairy-like aesthetics filled the venue; the crowd had an ethereal vibe both in a fashion sense and overall vibe.
The show opened with a short storytime from “The Girl” (which is Springs herself). Right as The Girl walked onto the stage, she called out the crowd for their quiet manner, which did not last long at all. The Girl had a story to share, one that took the plot line of Snow White and twisted it ever so slightly. The crowd participated heavily in the story with their visceral reactions. Laughs, gasps, screams and funny side comments only brought the silly story to life. Props such as apples and pictures of celebrities like Betty White, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway were used as visuals in the story.
This opening was the perfect way to warm the crowd up for the whimsical night that Springs had in store for Philadelphia.
“Tonight is a night we are gonna have lots of fun alright?”
The crowd roared as Springs announced her time as The Girl was up and she would be back shortly to give the show of a lifetime.
The lights dimmed and haze took over the stage. Bass/keys player Victoria and drummer/kazoo player India took the stage in bright green wigs. The night opened with “sense (is),” but not before a voiceover introduction that sucked the audience into the world of the apple tree under the sea and all that is Hemlocke Springs.
The opening lyrics were signifying the storybook opening for the night: “Once upon a fallow time / Four years and seven score.” Springs’ vocals are the kind you could listen to on repeat and never get tired of, and they are even more entrancing live. Her confidence filled the entire room, capturing every last person and holding them in her grasp until the very last note was sung. Not a single lyric was missed by the crowd, even throughout the nonstop dancing the volume in the room never died down.
A voiceover interlude continued the storyline of the apple tree under the sea. Hemlocke opened up the green chest sitting in between her band, and pulled out a book. The crowd watched her flip through the pages as the voice from the speaker echoed to the crowd: “Nobody accepts the strange, unless they look a certain way.”
Songs like “w-w-w-w-w” and “head, shoulders, knees and ankles” made the room shake. Springs used every last inch of the stage while performing her songs, interacting with her band and the crowd in a way that made everyone feel like they were up on stage with her. An acoustic performance of “going…going…GONE!” with just raw vocals, a bass guitar, and a kazoo evoking many in the crowd to sway side to side, interlocking arms or singing the songs to each other face to face.
Springs took time to talk with the crowd, giving moments of laughter as well as sincerity, sharing heartfelt messages to her fans: “You don’t have to be the person you used to be, or do, you can be whoever the fuck you want to be.” The room was filled with so much love and light.
The show closed out with an electric performance of “be the girl!” which Hemlocke told the crowd was her favorite song to perform from the album. Not a single frown or straight face could not be found throughout the entire crowd; everyone was living in the moment, not wanting the night to end.
As bubbles filled the air from the multiple bubble guns that Springs paraded up and down the stage, the singer leaned closer to scream the lyrics with her fans. It was truly a special night that will not be forgotten.
Keep up with Hemlocke Springs below:
Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / Website
Setlist:
- sense (is)
- stranger danger!
- heavun
- Head, shoulders, knees and ankles
- the train to nowhere
- the beginning of the end
- Gimme all ur luv
- Fools (Depeche Mode cover)
- w-w-w-w-w
- moses
- set me free
- going…going…GONE!
- enknee 1
- girlfriend
- sever the blight
- be the girl!
