For singer-songwriter Jessie Altman, Thursday, July 23, wasn’t just another concert. It was her first-ever hometown performance.
Altman celebrated the upcoming release of her sophomore album, Lovelight, with a record release party and fundraiser at Songbyrd in Washington, DC. The intimate venue filled with friends, family, former colleagues, and local fans, making the evening feel as much like a homecoming as a concert. Backed by an excellent band, Altman delivered a confident 19-song set that showcased both her growing catalog and the musical direction she’s taking on her new record.
After releasing her debut EP in 2020 and her first full-length album, Aftermath, in 2024, Altman has continued to evolve as a songwriter. Lovelight, due September 25, finds her further blending pop, rock, R&B, jazz, and dance influences into a sound that feels polished while still remaining personal.
Before pursuing music full time, Altman built a successful legal career after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. She practiced law in Washington before making the leap into music — a career change that now seems remarkably natural. Onstage, she proved equally comfortable as a performer and storyteller, effortlessly engaging the audience between songs while dancing, smiling, and delivering each number with warmth and confidence.
Altman opened the evening quietly with the atmospheric “For the Hell of It,” immediately establishing the relaxed, feel-good mood that carried throughout the performance. She flowed seamlessly into “Wanted” before arriving at one of the evening’s highlights, “Barcelona.”
Written about her relationship with husband Ross Martin Uhrich, “Barcelona” captures the exhilaration of meeting someone who instantly feels like home. Its heartfelt lyrics and infectious melody made it one of the standout previews from Lovelight.
Watch the official lyric video for “Barcelona” by Jessie Altman on YouTube:
While the new material was warmly received, some of the night’s biggest moments came from Altman’s earlier work. “Flashback” showcased an intimate acoustic arrangement featuring just Altman and her guitarist, allowing her expressive vocals to take center stage. “London Fog” followed with an upbeat energy that quickly had the audience fully invested.
By that point, Altman and her band had settled into an impressive groove. Throughout the 19-song performance, the musicians played with precision and chemistry, creating a sound that felt both polished and relaxed. Whether leaning into soulful grooves, pop hooks, or jazz-inspired rhythms, the band consistently complemented Altman’s versatile voice.
She closed the evening with spirited performances of “Endlessly” and “Hypnotic,” sending the audience home on an energetic high.
The concert also carried a deeper purpose beyond celebrating new music. The event served as a fundraiser for Volunteer Legal Advocates (VLA), a Washington-area nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services to survivors of domestic violence. Drawing on a network of more than 600 volunteer attorneys, VLA has helped thousands of survivors obtain legal assistance and protection.
Following the show, Altman spoke about both Lovelight and the importance of supporting VLA.
She confirmed that the album arrives in September and explained that this Songbyrd performance marked her first full-band show since appearing at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 2024 in support of Aftermath. Since then, she has spent the past two years writing and collaborating with musicians, producers, and songwriters to shape the new record. The earliest songs for Lovelight were written in New York City in 2025 before the project expanded through additional studio collaborations.
Playing her first hometown show carried special significance.
Although she admitted that performing in front of family and longtime friends can be more nerve-racking than playing for strangers, Altman clearly embraced the moment. She thanked the audience throughout the evening and emphasized that donating the proceeds to Volunteer Legal Advocates was her way of giving back to a community that helped shape both her legal and musical journeys.
The performance demonstrated why Altman continues to be an artist worth watching. She possesses an engaging stage presence, an expressive voice, and a growing catalog that comfortably moves between pop, soul, rock, and jazz influences without sounding forced. Just as importantly, she projects an unmistakable joy onstage — one that invites the audience to share in both the music and the journey behind it.
For a first hometown concert, it was difficult to imagine a more fitting celebration.
Setlist
1. For the Hell of It
2. Wanted C
3. Barcelona
4. Reverie
5. Flashback
6. London Fog
7. Mirror Mirror
8. Slow Love
9. What If
10. Indifference
11. Dancing in the Kitchen
12. Play It Cool
13. Stay Away
14. The Way We Were
15. Sleepwalking
16. Trick of the Light
17. Your Own Good
18. Endlessly
19. Hypnotic
Here are some photos of Jessie Altman performing live at Songbyrd Music House on July 23, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
