One of today’s biggest music promoters can’t be found in an office or an agency — it’s a free app on the Appstore. TikTok has been notorious for rolling out stars, viral songs, and getting artists streams. Molly Grace Zeytoonian, known as her stage name Molly Grace, is of of those freshly minted stars.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Chappell Roan and Reneé Rapp, Lizzo, Freddy Mercury, and more, Molly Grace blends pop and disco sounds in her unique, upbeat music. In her signature sequins, she rocked a sold-out show at The Atlantis in DC on March 1. Molly Grace has been putting out music as an independent artist since 2021.
In a common new strategy, many artists, including Molly Grace, promote music early via short teaser clips on TikTok. While sometimes artists repost their videos on other channels, TikTok is unique because it easily allows fans to click the audio from her videos and make their own videos or listen. TikTok is often a more intimate space between artists and their fans, where they can be found reposting fans videos and interacting in the comments. Because of this, many fans were already singing along to unreleased lyrics without missing a beat.
She also played songs from her older EPs, and gave attention to her most popular singles. The tour, known as, But I’m a Pop Star Tour, draws inspiration from the 1999 movie, But I’m a Cheerleader. Many fans wore cheerleading outfits as well as clothes in the signature pink from the movie and Molly Grace’s music video for one of her most popular songs, “FEMME.”
Watch the official lyric video for “FEMME” by Molly Grace on YouTube:
After the “final” song, Molly Grace returned, saving “FEMME” as the encore. “You didn’t think I wouldn’t sing it, did you?”
Molly also took time to connect with everyone in the small but packed venue throughout the evening, complementing outfits, receiving decorated glasses from a fan, and even asking them to help her sing “Happy Birthday” to her bassist.
Molly Grace, who is apart of the LGBT community, also took time to acknowledge how safe spaces such as a queer artist’s show that embraces all people are more important than ever in the current political climate. Not only was this message spoken, but it can also be heard in her music. Acceptance, love, women’s rights, and body positivity are some of the many messages and themes found in her lyrics.
Earlier in the evening, Claire Ernst opened with a short set featuring songs from her new EP, Oh Hello! She has described the songs as “hooky pop elements, country storytelling and R&B melodies,” which kept the audience attentive and some singing along. Mainly on the keys the entire set, the singer-songwriter opened the evening strong. Oh Hello was released in 2024, but Claire has been releasing music online since age 14.
Here are some photos of Molly Grace (and Claire Ernst) performing at The Atlantis in DC on March 1, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Sami Pye.
