Anna Shoemaker, an indie pop singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, took the stage at The Magic Bag in Ferndale on Sept. 19. Serving as the opening act for Joe P. on his headline tour, Shoemaker started the show with one of her biggest hits, “Fields,” followed by “It’s Depression” and her 2024 single “Close to the Sun.”
Under green and blue strobe lights with nothing but her acoustic guitar, Shoemaker sang about new beginnings and complex emotions. This offered a stripped-back version of songs that were previously performed with drums and vocal effects. I enjoyed hearing the acoustic version because it let us witness her vocal capability — whether she was singing softly like Lucy Dacus or more passionately like Olivia Rodrigo.
What led to her decision to perform an acoustic version of each song?
“I just wanted to get back to the way I started out, just me and my guitar … I think before I’m a performer I’m a writer, so it’s nice to bring attention back to the writing,” Shoemaker said.
Not only does she write about difficult emotions, but she has a sense of humor and relatability with the crowd. “This song is about not knowing if you want to get back with someone or if you’re just depressed,” Shoemaker said jokingly before singing “It’s Depression.” This caught the attention and laughter from the audience, immediately breaking the ice and getting all eyes (and ears) on her performance.
While tuning her guitar before singing another song, Shoemaker opened up more. “This is weird, I usually have my band with me,” she said, “but I’m performing these songs the same way that I write them, just in my bedroom with my guitar.” And it’s true — the honesty of her lyrics makes you feel like you’re reading her diary, with a rawness comparable to that of 90s icons Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow.
Her set continued with her songs “Hey Anna” and “Holly,” both from her 2023 EP, as well as a cover of “Casual” by pop artist Chappell Roan. The familiarity of these lyrics sparked excitement from the crowd, allowing the audience to sing along and sway to her acoustic version. Personally, I found this to be one of the most memorable moments of the night, the excitement radiated off the crowd and everyone was able to join in for her acoustic cover of the hit song.
She went on to play an unreleased song, but not before giving a very special announcement: her sophomore album is set to be released in the beginning of 2025. When asked about her influences for this album, Shoemaker listed both Alex G and Kacey Musgraves as artists that were in rotation during the creative process.
“There aren’t any acoustic songs [on the album] but there is a lot of acoustic guitar. I’m really excited about it,” she said.
Her upcoming album is said to be transformative, focusing on exploring mourning and self-discovery while navigating a breakup. With over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, it’s clear she has found her audience.
