LOS ANGELES, CA- Catching Tei Shi live in 2025 feels like reconnecting with an artist who’s never stopped moving forward. I remember when she first began unveiling her sound around 2013, layering airy vocal loops, soft synths, and intimate lyrics on early releases like Saudade and Verde. Like many of her peers, she broke through with dreamy, loop-heavy bedroom productions that highlighted her singular voice. Collaboration has always been part of Tei Shi’s story. Early on, she lent her vocals to Glass Animals, and later her voice surfaced on Blood Orange’s 2018 album Negro Swan. That same year, she reunited with Dev Hynes for her single “Even If It Hurts,” a track that emphasized her ability to carry intimacy inside a wide, expansive soundscape.
Since then, she’s sharpened her sound, navigated the hurdles of being an independent artist, and taken time to refine her vision. Now the Colombian-Canadian singer and producer is stepping back into the spotlight with Make believe I make believe, a new album and tour, sharing what she’s been quietly crafting over the past few years.
The night opened with Harmony, the solo singer-songwriter who makes up one half of the indie duo Girlpool. She immediately welcomed the crowd with her warm, playful presence, performing stripped-down, introspective songs that drew listeners in. During her set, she introduced a new song, “Anything,” giving a glimpse into her evolving solo work.
The track marked a departure from her earlier indie-rock roots—quieter, more delicate, and deeply personal. Her outfit added to the impression: a flowing pink gown, a glittery Mickey Mouse hat perched playfully on her head, and her guitar resting at her side. The mix of whimsy and simplicity in her look mirrored the mood of her set and provided a graceful entry into the evening.
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The Lodge Room in Highland Park proved to be the perfect location for the tour’s first night. Its moody setting, complete with a large chandelier and Masonic lodge–style décor, created a space that felt both cozy and dramatic. The venue has always carried an intimacy that lets artists connect closely with their audience, and for Tei Shi, that balance of introspection and boldness fit seamlessly.
When Tei Shi finally stepped on stage, her fans erupted in cheers. She opened with the slow ballad “Best Be Leaving” from her new album. The combination of her whispery falsetto and live guitar immediately set the intimate tone for the night, as though she was inviting everyone into her private creative space. After a warm greeting to the audience, the set began to build momentum. By the third song, she launched into “Drop Dead,” her new girly-pop anthem, and the room shifted from quiet attention to playful energy. The track, about refusing to shrink yourself for anyone else, came alive with her bold vocal delivery, punctuated by distorted guitar riffs. The crowd responded instantly, moving with the beat and cheering at every twist in the song.
Keeping the energy high, Tei Shi moved into “Montón” and “Quédate Queriéndome,” two Spanish-language tracks driven by dembow and Latin rhythms. These songs revealed another side of her artistry, blending her roots with her flair for electronic pop. At one point, she grabbed a shot of liquor and encouraged the audience to join her. Laughing, she admitted that she normally doesn’t drink—except on stage—and since it was a Friday night, she decided it was more than acceptable. The playful confession was met with cheers.
The setlist stretched across her catalog. She included older fan favorites like “OK crazy” and “Justify,” while weaving in new material such as “Iris” and “Don’t Cry.” The mix gave the night a layered texture—nostalgic yet forward-looking, familiar yet experimental. Longtime fans could relive the songs that first drew them in, while the new tracks hinted at the direction she is heading in 2025.
Bathed in LED lights that shifted from deep reds to pacific blues, Tei Shi seemed to glow in sync with the music. Her stage presence was magnetic. She didn’t just sing; she moved with the rhythm, gliding across the stage, embodying each note and lyric. Every gesture felt deliberate but natural, like the music and visuals were feeding off each other. Watching her perform, it was impossible not to be pulled into every detail—her phrasing, her movement, her interaction with the band and crowd.
After the main set, the audience’s enthusiastic cheers coaxed her back out for an encore. She closed with “Die 4 Ur Love,” one of her most underrated songs. The track, a bittersweet club banger blending glossy synths with yearning lyrics, landed as the perfect finale. It was both danceable and emotionally charged, capturing the duality that defines so much of her work. The song sent the audience into the night on a wave of euphoria tinged with melancholy—a push and pull that Tei Shi has always expressed so well.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd filed out, there was a sense of having witnessed something significant. Hearing the new material live added a fresh layer of excitement, as though we were catching the first glimpse of the creative world she’s about to carry across the rest of her tour. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder of Tei Shi’s resilience, evolution, and ability to make each performance feel both personal and expansive. For those who have followed her since the early days, the show marked a reaffirmation that she’s still one of the most intriguing artists working in pop today, glowing in motion and ready for what comes next.
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