Concert Review: Bishop Briggs brings her Tell My Therapist I’m Fine Tour to Irving Plaza
Photos by Jessie Fuentes
Bishop Briggs poured her heart into Tell My Therapist I’m Fine, her third LP and a powerful declaration of resilience. The album is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a tribute to her late sister Kate, who was not only her manager but also her guiding force. After losing Kate to ovarian cancer in 2021, Briggs found herself relearning how to take care of herself, ultimately realizing that the best way to honor her sister’s memory was to keep singing—louder than ever. Now, she’s taking that energy on the road, and at Irving Plaza, she delivered a performance that was equal parts cathartic and electrifying, proving once again why her music resonates so deeply with fans.
Opening the night was dark-pop powerhouse Ellise, who is on the brink of releasing her second album, Pretty Evil (available now!). Much like Bishop, she commands the stage with a booming voice that fills every inch of the venue, effortlessly shifting between haunting melodies and full-throttle belting. But beyond her vocal prowess, it’s her playful connection with the crowd that makes her performances so electric—smirking between verses, teasing the audience, and reveling in the theatricality of it all. Her setlist was packed with fan-favorites, including Leech, Bite, Valentine, and Can You Keep a Secret, each one dripping with her signature mix of eerie charm and raw emotion. By the time she left the stage, she had the crowd fully primed for the intensity that was about to follow.
Photos by Jessie Fuentes
From the moment Bishop Briggs stepped on stage, it was clear she had been waiting for this night just as much as the fans. Having obsessed over the energy of New York crowds for years, she wasted no time diving into a set that balanced old favorites with tracks from the album. While many artists lean heavily into new material on tour, Briggs made sure to honor every chapter of her career, delivering anthems that ranged from gut-wrenchingly vulnerable to full-throttle, stadium-ready rock. Her voice, a force of nature in itself, filled every inch of Irving Plaza—booming, urgent, and at times, almost spiritual in its intensity.
Briggs brought pure energy from the moment she launched into My Serotonin, bouncing around with everything she had. Her expressions were a mix of playful grins and intense, wide-eyed stares, perfectly capturing the chaotic, high-energy vibe of the song. When I'm Not a Machine kicked in, she embraced the rebellious spirit of the track, stomping across the stage with a bold, fierce presence. Her movements were big and commanding, yet her face was full of playful fun, showing she was just as into the performance as the crowd was. By the time Wild Horses rolled around, she was completely in sync with the audience, laughing and letting them take over the chorus with her. It was clear she was having an absolute blast, and that energy was impossible to ignore.
Photos by Jessie Fuentes
Briggs’ sound carries a weight, the kind of sound that could score a relentless climb up a mountain. There’s a grit to her performance that places her in the same vein as artists like Dorothy, blending rock, pop, and folk into something both powerful and deeply personal. That intensity reached its peak during Growing Pains, when she delivered the devastating line, "Although I have lost so heavily, it is because I have loved so deeply." The weight of those words was palpable—Briggs herself was overcome with emotion, tears welling in her eyes as she sang, making the moment feel even more raw and unfiltered.
Adding to the intensity of the performance was the eerie, almost surreal stage design. Scattered across the stage were mannequin heads, their vacant gazes adding an unsettling yet strangely fitting visual element to the night. Whether intentional or not, they mirrored the themes of self-reflection and fractured identity that run through Tell My Therapist I’m Fine, making the performance feel even more immersive. As Briggs moved through her set, shifting between moments of emotional release and playful confidence, the stark imagery only amplified the rollercoaster of feelings she put on display.
Photos by Jessie Fuentes
Despite the heavy emotions woven throughout her set, Briggs never lost her playful, spunky spirit. She carries the confidence of someone singing their heart out alone in their bedroom, completely unfiltered and free, and she knows how to make a room feel alive. In between songs, she reflected on her creative journey, speaking candidly about her struggles with fulfillment and the lessons she’s learned along the way. "Always try," she told the audience, emphasizing that the act of trying itself is where real growth happens. "At least if you have the failure, you won’t have the regret of not trying."
Be sure to check out more photos from the show in our gallery.
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