Snow Strippers Kick-off Their North American Tour with a Sold-Out Show at the 9:30 Club
Words by Valeria Beauchamp
Photos by Marisol Yanguas
When I emerged from my car parked across the street from the 9:30 Club, I was greeted with a gust of cold air, scurrying black and white striped tights and giggles running down the street. I turned to my left to see a line of rhinestone-bedazzled concert goers stretched so far down V St that it vanished around the building’s corner — a sight conjured only by a sold-out show. Kicking off their 30+ date North American tour, the Snow Strippers chose the nation’s capital as their first stop, setting the tone for their run from the East to the West Coast with stops at festivals in Florida, New York, Tennessee, and Iowa along the way.
The anticipation for the Snow Strippers to come on stage was palpable. For those at the very front of the pit, it was undeniable — eager teens and early 20-somethings packed more tightly against the barricade with each minute that advanced. One girl puffed in pain, with a face signaling an uncertainty as to whether she could handle the pressure of her ribs pushing against the makeshift wall. When security personnel offered to pull her out of the front row, she refused, her pain overridden by her mission to see Tatiana Schwaninger and Graham Perez up close.
At 9:30 Club on Jan. 8, the arrival of the duo caused immense uproar by the crowd, as opening notes of “Just Your Doll” poured through the venue. Tears were shed, mosh pits erupted, and unlikely heroes of the night surfed atop the heads of their peers. It was hard to tell at times if the cloudiness at the venue came from the intense fog machines onstage or if it was steam generated by the heat of dancing. The presence of the Snow Strippers was as electric as their sound, and their revival of the indie sleaze era speaks to what reels — in this new generation of concert goers. What feels audacious, carefree and uncurated shines through in their auditory and visual aesthetics, making their work accessible, and, consequently inspiring to young listeners. Driven by Gen-Z’s nostalgia for a time they were too young to be around for, this revival of the late 2000’s era breathes the originality that inspired the movement’s first iteration, though this time adapted for a much stronger digital presence.
Watch the official music video for “Just Your Doll” by Snow Strippers on YouTube:
The energy in DC that night felt like a an exciting promise for the future of music and for those seeking to veer away from above-ground pop, making this new generation of sonic explorers one that sets the bar high for paying homage to the past, engages with criticisms of conformity, and dares to dream for something more. For a city with deep punk and genre-bending roots, tonight proved there remains an appetite for that sound which feels raw and alive.
Setlist (Obtained from Ticketmaster and verified with setlist.fm)
* 1. Just Your Doll
* 2. You Could Be the One
* 3. Heroes Don’t Exist
* 4. You’ve Done It This Time
* 5. So What If I’m A Freak
* 6. Under a Siege
* 7. Lacerate
* 8. TV Sex
* 9. Aching Like It’s
* 10. Passionate Highs
* 11. Simplify
* 12. In My Head
* 13. Fire Alarm (Lil Uzi Vert cover)
* 14. Walk (Kodak Black cover)
* 15. Back In Blood (Snow Strippers Remix)
* 16. Coachella Star
* 17. Christian Dior Denim Flow (Snow Strippers Remix)
* 18. Under Your Spell
* 19. Cautious
* 20. Beat It Like Michael
* 21. Know My Name
* 22. Almost a Threat
* 23. It’s a Dream (Lil Uzi Vert Version)
* 24. Hurt So Good
* 25. Diamond Heart
* 26. It’s Goin Bad
* 27. Another High
Here are some photos of Snow Strippers performing live at 9:30 Club on Jan. 8, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Marisol Yanguas.
