The Saturday performance of Steinza at Pearl Street Warehouse on April 11 was a special stop on the tour. It was stripped of heavy production; in fact, it was stripped of Steinza’s whole backing band.
Steinza spoke on this and gave DC some context. After wrapping up in New York the previous night, his band got on a flight out to Coachella to play with Samia, performing on Sunday. The night prioritized Steinza’s other strength, which he began his career with, solo acoustic bar performances. In the chic, cozy venue, it was the perfect setting for some sad folk music with a fair share of storytelling.
Beginning at 8pm, Isaac Friend kicked off the night> Friend, who is Steinza’s cousin, brought a layer of family bond to the stage. Originally a drummer, the Richmond, Virginia native and former roofer brings a dark folk Americana sound. He uses his acoustic guitar as part of his one-man show, utilizing the body as a tool for percussion, and employing energetic picking techniques to drive the tempo. His performance leaned heavily into some deeper topics, making him the perfect support for his cousin. Armed with the same guitar he used to play with Steinza in their youth, Friend proved he deserved a place on stage.
Watch Isaac Friend perform “Arrival” live on YouTube:
Following Friend’s introduction, 19-year-old Elias Hix took the stage at 8:20pm. From Spartanburg, South Carolina, Hix, having grown up working on a cattle farm, draws on the heat and harsh winters of the South in his songwriting. However, unlike many self-taught musicians, Hix is formally trained in classical music and the stand-up brass. This background gives his sound a highly sophisticated edge. His understanding of musical theory elevates his chords into beautiful arrangements. During his set, Hix showcased remarkable vocal control; his performance bridged traditional folk americana with a slightly indie twinge. He held the audience’s attention throughout the set, proving why he’s shared stages with acts like The Wood Brothers and The National Parks.
At about 9:20pm, Steinza took the stage to cheers. The set was initially strictly acoustic, a change necessitated by his backing band departing the previous night. The stripped-down set gave a unique look into Steinza’s fundamental strengths.
What makes a Steinza truly unique is how the performance feels like an intimate, live mini-podcast. He is a naturally gifted storyteller with highly articulate stage banter. He recounted everything from his early gigs playing to empty bars during the pandemic to his philosophical theories on modern dating, where he logically came to the conclusion that every marriage must end in either marriage, a breakup, or death. He openly unpacked his theological upbringing before playing the self-detrimental “Bible Bluff,” and later detailed an awkward 7:00 AM dental appointment where Steinza met a stunning dental hygienist, inspiring a crowd singalong, “Christine.”
Stream “Christine” by Steinza on YouTube:
Musically, the evening was strong, playing a mix of songs from his brand-new album Steinza Was Here!, which was originally released on Feb. 6. The record is an evolution of sound that embraces rougher edges and emotional honesty. About a third of the way through his set, Steinza invited his friend and bass player, Josh, to join him on stage. This kept the relatively acoustic sound but undoubtedly gave the songs a fuller sound. Songs from the new album and the awestruck “Work Of God” proved they didn’t need the studio percussion to still be powerful.
He also used his time on stage to explain how his song, “Tricked,” was originally ghostwritten for a mainstream pop-country artist before he reclaimed it. The set seamlessly went through an emotional journey from the bitter “Taste The Dirt,” an angry anthem born from a nightmare about his ex. To the tender “Wait And See,” a song written for a future wife he hasn’t met yet. He concluded the night with his breakout hit, “The Former,” leaning away from the microphone to let the room shout the final chorus. By weaving these deeply personal stories between songs, Steinza truly brings a unique experience to every show he performs.
Setlist
DoctorDoctor
Habits
Bible Bluff
23
Tricked
Bubba
Visions of You
What You Wanted
High and Dry
Shivers
Work Of God
Taste The Dirt
Christine
Wait And See
The Former
All photographs from Steinza’s performance at Pearl Street Warehouse on April 11, 2026, are copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester (@flicksby4ster).
Here are some photos of Elias Hix opening Steinza at Pearl Street Warehouse.
Here are some photos of Isaac Friend opening Steinza at Pearl Street Warehouse.
