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Olivia Rodrigo Debuts ‘Pretty Sad’ Songs at Sweltering Brooklyn Surprise Show: Concert Review

A surprise performance by Olivia Rodrigo was announced on a sweltering Thursday afternoon in New York City, sending fans into a frenzy. The pop sensation, known for her chart-topping debut album "Sour," was set to play an intimate show at Warsaw, a cozy 1,100-capacity venue in Brooklyn, just hours after the news broke. The scramble for tickets, which were exclusively sold at the venue's box office, was as chaotic as expected. Devoted fans braved the oppressive heat—officially 91 degrees but feeling like a stifling 105—to secure their spots. Despite the sauna-like conditions inside, the venue was filled to the brim well before the 8 p.m. start time, a testament to Rodrigo's immense popularity among her dedicated following. Taking the stage in a red floral schoolgirl dress paired with black go-go boots, Rodrigo wasted no time diving into her set. She opened boldly with "Drop Dead," the lead single from her upcoming album, a track known for its demanding upper-register chorus that leaves little room for error. She executed it flawlessly, showcasing her vocal prowess. "We're going to be playing a lot of songs from my new album for this first time," she announced, following through with three additional tracks from her highly anticipated release, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love," including the Wet Leg-inspired "My Way." Rodrigo's five-piece band, which has been with her through a busy year of performances—from Spain's Primavera Festival and "Saturday Night Live" to a surprise appearance with the Smashing Pumpkins at Lollapalooza—was impeccably tight. However, despite their experience, this show marked the first time most of the eight new songs were performed live, aside from a recent "Austin City Limits" taping. The new material, while note-perfect, will likely evolve and loosen up as the tour progresses, a natural process for any artist introducing fresh tracks to a live audience. After the energetic opening, Rodrigo transitioned to a more intimate segment, sitting at the keyboard to deliver a selection of ballads from her previous albums, including the emotional powerhouse "Drivers License." She then rolled out four more new songs, much to the delight of the crowd. Among these were the fan favorites "Maggots for Brains" and "The Cure," which she described as "probably" her favorite track from the album, alongside a poignant debut of "Less Than." The set concluded with the crowd-pleasing hits "Good 4 U" and "Déjà Vu," leaving the audience buzzing with excitement. Throughout the performance, Rodrigo was her usual vibrant self—bouncing, spinning, and leading the audience in enthusiastic singalongs. Notably, she made no mention of her recent public disagreement with the president, keeping the focus squarely on the music. As the "Pretty Sad" songs were delivered with precision, it's clear that the new material will only improve with time, and fans can expect a few older favorites to be added to the setlist as the tour ramps up. The upcoming "Unraveled" tour, set to launch on Sept. 25, will kick off with Rodrigo's own Daisy Chain Fields festival in Southern California, promising an exciting new chapter for the young artist.

Category:SHOW BIZ NEWS

MSG team 2026-08-08