Faye Webster at Roadrunner, 10/20/23
Like many, I was first introduced to Faye Webster’s music when “Kingston” was circulating TikTok, and I was instantly drawn by her unique and angelic vocals. After furthering my dive into her discography, each song I listened to continued to draw me in even more. I hadn’t heard anything quite like her alternative indie folk style. Webster's experimentation and openness to variety is just one of the reasons why I adore her work.
Webster’s show was my first experience with doing concert press and photography, and I was filled with so much excitement and nervousness. As the day of the concert drew nearer, the more my “nervouscitement” grew too. I exclusively listened to Webster during my school week, her voice accompanying me through my headphones. I got to Roadrunner right as the doors opened and made my way to the guest list entrance in the back, passing by a lengthy queue of fans in dresses, bows, and Doc Martens who were just as excited as I was. As I checked in and received my press pass, I found myself physically shaking—the moment was finally about to begin and it started to feel so real.
I walked into Roadrunner for the first time and took in the electricity in the air as fans speed-walked (because they were told not to run) to the barricade and claimed spots with the best view. I watched them grab their friends hands and squeal, jump out of joy, and take pictures before the show. I couldn't help but smile as I watched them, remembering all the times I was in their place, about to see my favorite artists.
Upchuck took the stage before Webster and surprised the crowd with their much more punk, alternative style, instantly beginning their set with intense power and presence. Their loud and in-your-face music was completely unlike Webster’s work, leaving the audience interested in how she went about choosing them as openers. We later got our answer: Upchuck is a band Webster values deeply that’s based in Faye’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
I watched the crowd match Upchuck’s energy by jumping and moshing through the whole set. I had not heard Upchuck’s work before this, and I was absolutely in awe seeing them perform with so much passion. My awe was multiplied when the drummer got up and started singing in Spanish. As a Latina who enjoys punk music, I’ve never looked into Latino punk, so hearing it for the first time (and in person) was life changing. I stood there on the side of the crowd holding my camera to my chest with a jaw dropped smile.
Upchuck absolutely succeeded in hyping up the crowd and building even more anticipation for Faye Webster’s set. I made my way back over to the press pit and was beyond ecstatic. The lights went out and Webster walked up to the mic and began the show with one of her newest singles, “But Not Kiss.” It was a beautiful start to the show with a prolonged first line to build up the drop. The crowd sang along, yelling “I want to sleep in your armssssss,” and in unison, “but not kiss!”
With Webster being known for a lot of her “TikTok” songs like “Kingston,” “Johnny,” “Right Side of My Neck,” and “I Know You,” I was a bit afraid that the crowd wouldn’t give the same energy for this new song as well as her most recent single, “Lifetime,” but I was pleasantly mistaken. The audience yelled and sang with the same passion for these new tracks that they had for her more well-known songs.
The last song I spent in the press pit was “Kind Of,” which just so happens to be my favorite song in Webster’s discography. Something about her vocals in this song in particular give me goosebumps each time I hear it, and I spent a good three days straight listening to only that song when I first heard it. It was even more amazing being so close to her, and I found that I had stopped taking photos for a moment to just breathe it in and make sure I will never forget how I felt then. After “Kind Of” ended, I made my way back to the side of the crowd where I was able to still have a great view of the stage in an extremely crowded pit.
Webster’s stage presence was nothing short of magical. The softness of her voice along with her band and stage visuals transported the audience into the world Webster created for us. For songs like “In a Good Way,” the usual background visual had added animations that resembled teardrops falling from top to bottom, relating to the lyric, “You make me wanna cry in a good way.” This was something I especially enjoyed about the production.
Throughout the show, Webster interacted with the crowd many times. One group of friends on the left side of the stage had so much energy that Webster took notice. They exchanged “I love you’s” and Webster learned it was one of their birthdays. She very kindly thanked them for celebrating their day with her and got everyone to sing them happy birthday. Another fan at the barricade gave her a stuffed toy and she received it with excitement, thanking them, and sharing an anecdote about how many plushies she has on her bed. Special moments like these really brought the room together.
Closer to the end of the show, I spotted some of my friends in the crowd and made my way over to them. I stood there with them and we all shared our excitement for being at the show and sang together. After “Cheers,” Webster walked off stage and the crowd began to chant “One more song!” until she came back out, the room erupting in applause. She finished off her set with two more songs, the last being the infamous “Kingston.” Webster walked off stage (for real this time), and just like that, the show was over. The crowd filed out of the venue, multiple groups singing different Faye Webster songs on their way out. I sat on the curb a couple blocks away from Roadrunner, waiting for my ride, with the electricity of my experience still buzzing.
