ISABEL LAROSA – LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY

I’ve been following American alt pop star Isabel LaRosa for a while, so when I saw she was coming to Glasgow for her “Psychopomp” tour, I had to go. With Thomas LaRosa and hyperpop artist Snow Wife joining her, it promised to be a memorable night. But did it live up to my high expectations?

The show started thirty minutes after the doors opened, with Isabel’s older brother, Thomas LaRosa, playing a raw solo set. His music blended 80s and 90s styles with modern sounds, which was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed his solo songs. They reminded me of Del Water Gap, another artist I’ve been listening to lately. The highlight was his unexpected cover of “Let Down” by Radiohead. That performance highlighted his influences a nd showed he fits right into the indie scene.

Next was the moment I’d been waiting for: Snow Wife’s debut in Glasgow. I’ve followed her since her early releases back in 2023, and her latest EP is already my favourite of 2025.

Seeing her perform these tracks live was incredible. From the get go, it was obvious she belonged on that stage. She came out with a headset mic like Britney Spears in the early 2000s and two backup dancers. The atmosphere changed instantly when she started the title track from her 2025 EP, “Bodyology”. The choreography was fantastic. I knew we were in for a great show, but I was still amazed.

She followed with two of my favourite songs, “FUCK” and “Wet Dream”, and it was obvious she wanted to make an impact. But it was her performance of “YoYo” that really caught my attention. I think it’s one of the best dance tracks I’ve heard in years, and it sounded just as good live. Even though she’s said in interviews that she’s not overly confident in her voice, Snow Wife’s vocals were clear and strong the entire set. I’m sure she’ll be playing bigger venues and festivals soon.

At first, I wasn’t sure how her music would fit with this tour, but after seeing her live, I can’t think of a better choice. The crowd loved her set. She dedicated her performance to the girls and the gays, and we were all truly gagged.

Then, at 8:45, the lights dimmed, and striking visuals lit up the stage. It was time for the moment everyone had been waiting for: stepping into the world of “Psychopomp”. Isabel LaRosa appeared on stage dressed in black, wearing a masquerade mask as the first notes of “Older” played. The crowd went wild.

The song created a dark atmosphere. with LaRosa standing centre stage and moving just enough to complement the heavy bass while her voice remained clear. She immediately launched into ‘Pretty Boy’, and the energy shifted. Her confidence was clear from the start, with sharp turns, slow body rolls, and hair flips provoking strong reactions.

The first three songs ended with ‘Famous’, where her performance felt completely uninhibited. LaRosa moved confidently around the stage, delivering powerful, controlled vocals and incorporating short, high energy dance breaks that never distracted from her singing. Even at this early stage, it was clear her s tage presence was enough to command the room.

As the show progressed, she performed fan favourites like “More Than Friends”, “Cry For You”, and “BABYDOLL” (an Ari Abdul cover), earning cheers for her lively delivery. LaRosa’s blend of flair, hair flips, an d rhythmic moves, combined with her steady vocals, kept the crowd engaged.

The rest of the set was jam packed with fan favourites as well as some covers to fill some space. I was worried these were just filler but they honestly fit perfectly! She picked so me excellent choices and clearly thought things through because they were worked into the show seamlessly, especially the cover of “Softcore” by The Neighbourhood.

By the time she reached “Destroy Myself For You”, “Eyes Don’t Lie”, and “Favourite”, the show was in full swing. Strobe lights flashed wildly as she pushed through the final stretch, incorporating hair flips, dance breaks, and powerful vocals without losing momentum.

The encore, “I’m Yours”, brought the event to a triumphant conclusion, leaving the audience clearly amazed. This is her biggest track, and you could tell it was the most anticipated moment of the night, with the crowd erupting as soon as the first few notes of the intro played.

Isabel’s style is reminiscent of Melanie Martinez and Billie Eilish, but her approach to performance reminds me of Tate McRae and even some elements of Beyoncé! I’m not sure if it’s the dramatic hair flips or her overall stage presence, but it’s hugely inspiring to see newer pop singers draw influence from those who’ve paved the way. That’s exactly what the industry needs now, when everything is starting to sound too similar.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her from the moment she stepped on stage. Isabel commanded the room, capturing everyone’s attention with every move and glance.

Even when she was still, she held the audience in thrall. It was like a masterclass in stage presence, with every moment directing our focus solely on her. The show was exceptional from start to finish, but it was the performance of “Muse” that truly stood out

Thomas LaRosa’s intense guitar riffs paired perfectly with Isabel’s haunting vocals, creating a captivating duo. Isabel fully immersed herself in the music, kneeling down.whipping her hair, and experiencing every moment intensely. While this isn’t my favourite song from herdiscography, Thomas’ guitar riffs really drew me in, and seeing the pair lose themselves in the music was incredible.

Whether she was dancing under strobe lights or standing still while everyone listened, LaRosa always appeared in control. Even in a small venue, her confidence and energy felt immense. She didn’t just perform, she owned the space, proving that true stage presence comes from confidence and talent, not flashy effects. Her show felt as if it belonged in a massive arena, even though it was in a small room. I highly recommend catching one of her shows; it was genuinely one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next. If she’s performing like this at just 21, imagine where she’ll be in five years.