Holly Humberstone at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA
Holly Humberstone played a sold out show at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA. This tour celebrates the release of her second album, Cruel World. The record draws listeners into a different realm blending dark synth-pop sounds and cinematic visuals.
I first saw Humberstone back in 2023 at Outside Lands. The atmosphere was different, given that it was a festival, but her ability to captivate a crowd was remarkable. It was telling that the connection between her and her backing band has grown tremendously. It truly enhanced the performance tonight.
New York based alternative rock artist Leyla Ebrahimi opened the night with an energetic set. Ebrahimi released her debut EP, Planet You Forgot Me, last month. Her recent single from that EP, “I’m Sorry Maria”, was a fan favorite among the crowd.
The stage was set up with Humberstone in front and center, and her band behind, surrounded by a grassy meadow with wood. Humberstone took the stage in an all-white outfit, making her stand out under the spotlight.
The lead single from her latest record, “To Love Somebody,” was amazing live, with layered backing harmonies adding depth to the performance. Meanwhile, “Beauty Pageant” highlighted the soft yet powerful quality of Holly’s vocals. The ballad took on a new sound in a live setting, opening with just her voice and piano before gradually building to a powerful climax. Everyone in the audience was completely captivated, taking in every second of this intimate moment.
There were also older tracks on the setlist. One of Holly’s favorites is the title track of her debut album, “Paint My Bedroom Black.” I was happy she kept that song specifically on the setlist, since I hadn’t had the chance to hear it live yet.
The atmosphere shifted throughout the night; glimmering lights from the chandeliers and a disco ball lent a romantic energy to “Kissing In Swimming Pools,” while punchy red strobes against the curtains made “Red Chevy” feel intense. Ultimately, nothing was more satisfying than seeing her fans sing those choruses right back to her.
Humberstone wrapped up the US leg of this tour in Los Angeles last week, and will be bringing her Cruel World Tour to the UK and Europe this Fall. If you missed the opportunity to see her, you can catch her in December opening for Gracie Abrams at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, CA.
Check out the full photo gallery here.