Words by Breanna Riddick

BENEE came to Philadelphia on March 16th, drawing a crowd that showed a Monday isn’t actually a bad day for a party. Up-and-coming singer Bayli opened the night with an electric sound that can only be described as high-femme meets hyperpop meets club meets hip-hop, and the crowd loved her for it. In a black bodycon tube mini dress that read, “LIVE HOWEVER YOU LIKE NOBODY CARES A DAMN,” she gave out a tiara to a fan, appointing them her passenger princess for the night. And, like her song of the same name from her album NO RE-ENTRY, she definitely took Philly on the perfect ride to get ready for BENEE. 

Stepping out in black studded football shoulder pads, ripped leggings, and moon boots, BENEE needed no introduction as she started her set with “Sad Boiii” off her new album Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles. At the end of the song, the crowd roared to welcome her, to which she simply responded, “Hey,” with a smile, before immediately going into “Cinnamon.” 

Before introducing fans to her band, she shocked the Philly crowd with news she’d never had a Philly cheesesteak, but it’s safe to say the crowd forgave her based on the movement during “Soaked.” A standout moment of the performance was when she performed “Doomsday,” off her 2025 release, where she ended the song saying, “I just need a reason to headbang; I just wanna be a rocker!” Before proceeding to headbang for the last several seconds, as the crowd matched her energy. 

She showed a real ability to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability during performances for “Heaven” and “Doesn’t Matter,” where she sat down, allowing the crowd to really lean in and connect with her during the slower ballads. The obvious but still deeply appreciated and exciting crowd pleasers, of course, came with her closers, “Supalonely” and “Green Honda.” Watching the crowd actually dance along to the music while singing almost as audibly as BENEE was truly an experience.

BENEE has great vocals, killer Southern and Valley accents, two incredibly talented band members – Michael on guitar and Felix on drums – who seem to have garnered a cult following in their own right (shout out to the one guy who shouted, “Show us what you got, Felix!”), hairclips for the younger fans and a really great crowd eager to headbang with her. Philly definitely hopes she gets her cheesesteak soon, but otherwise just seemed grateful for the Monday night party. 

See more photos from the show below: