When I arrived at the 9:30 Club to see viral sensation Bella Kay, a production manager walked out of the venue, and I thought I overheard something about switching the opener. I thought there was no way the originally slated 19-year-old Hailey Picardi wouldn’t be taking the stage.
I was mistaken. Picardi’s voice had been exhausted after the first night of the tour. Instead of outright canceling the opening act or scrambling to find someone in the DC area to take over, the club looked inward. Brassie, a member of the 9:30 Club box office staff, took the stage in place of Picardi on Sept. 10.
Taking the stage in the very room where she usually works, Brassie absolutely seized the moment. She took her time to explain the situation and thank everyone for allowing her the opportunity to perform. Donning a 9:30 Club tee and explaining that she didn’t even get to change out of her sweatpants before taking the stage, Brassie, armed with an acoustic guitar, immediately disarmed the anxious crowd.
With her relaxed, self-assured energy, she wasn’t met with disappointment but with a crowd welcoming the last-minute change. She pulled the club in with “Friends Like These,” a track addressing the unhealthy relationship modern youth have with social media.
Watch Brassie perform “Friends Like These” for Crossover TV on YouTube:
Ending her last-minute set, Brassie left the crowd with an acoustic cover of Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!” The cover was an acoustic masterpiece, and the whole set was a showcase of the kind of improvisation that makes an artist stand out. Brassie left the stage thanking everyone once again for being so welcoming and sharing that she’s performing in support of Ingrid Andress at The Atlantis on Oct. 7. Go check her out!
When the house lights dimmed for the 20-year-old headliner, the sold-out, 1,200-capacity 9:30 Club roared with excitement — the loudest I’ve ever heard the venue.
But before taking the stage, Kay decided to warm up the crowd with a quick playing of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” as a practical joke. Early in her career, Kay used to tease a cover of “Hey There Delilah” before switching to “Hotline Bling” at the last second. This time, she teased entering the stage to it. As Drake came to a close, Bella Kay took the stage.
Right from the start, the show had an intimate air about it, with the stage covered in carpet and featuring a couch, stool, books, and, of course, her stuffed dinosaur, Ryder. Jumping straight into “Say It Say” from her are you mad at me? EP, she showed off a stunning vocal range right off the bat.
The energy soon shifted into a more emotional tone with “I deserve better.,” the final track on her debut album, My Reckless Abandon. Kay brought an incredible stage presence, walking from end to end and leaning over the barricade to sing with fans.
Watch the official music video for “i deserve better.” by Bella Kay on YouTube:
Kay did include a cover in her set, although it wasn’t “Hotline Bling.” Instead, it was a song a little more suited to her genre. Kay chose Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings,” an excellent choice for the set. The song really shined a light on Kay’s already established vocal talent. Putting all her might into the song, she gave it such weight that you could tell she was giving it her all.
That energy continued later in the night during “The Sick,” the viral track that initially launched her career. She introduced it by asking if anyone had ever been in a relationship where they thought about the other person, “You were wrong for what you did to me … but … but, I was sick for kinda liking it.”
The venue roared and transformed into something akin to a 1,200-person choir.
The night came to its climax with the chart-topping closer “iloveitiloveitiloveit.” The infectious, high-energy anthem sent a proverbial shockwave across the venue floor. It perfectly encapsulated the chaotic, joyful theme of her Reckless era.
As the final notes faded and the house lights illuminated the room, a realization hit me — and, I assume, many others. With a massive UK arena tour supporting Noah Kahan coming in November, the fans packed shoulder to shoulder inside the 9:30 Club had a rare opportunity to witness an upcoming arena star in one of the last intimate rooms she may play.
Brassie Setlist:
Devil Makes 3
Should’ve Warned Ya
Friends Like These
72 Hours
Your Last Root Beer
American Currency
Bad Love
Where Is My Husband! (Raye cover)
Bella Kay Setlist:
Say It Say
mindf*ck
I deserve better.
Promise?
Stop
Steady
ceilings (Lizzy McAlpine cover)
swu
wonder wander
tongue
karaoke
God Know
The Sick
marrow
Blur
iloveitiloveitiloveit
Here are some photos of Bella Kay performing live at 9:30 Club on Sept. 10, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester.
Here are some photos of Brassie performing live at 9:30 Club on Sept. 10, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester.
