‘POiSON GiRL FRiEND’: HER MIDWESTERN END-OF-SUMMER SHOW
KING OF CLUBS - COLUMBUS, OH
On a sultry Tuesday night, fans gathered outside King of Clubs in Columbus, Ohio, to watch POiSON GiRL FRiEND perform for her US-MX TOUR. At the center of the project is Noriko Sekiguchi, who began POiSON GiRL FRiEND in the early ‘90s. Sekiguchi has spent decades working as a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and DJ, and that wide range of experience was evident throughout her performance as she moved seamlessly between electronic, ambience, techno, and dreamy pop.
Her newest EP, reprises, was released in August 2026. She also included several songs for her 1992 album, MELTING MOMENT, in the setlist.
She quietly stepped onto the stage wearing a beret, pleated skirt, leg warmers, platform sandals, and sunglasses. (Iconic stage outfit, what a queen.) She opened with “Poptones,” which is the opening track from reprises. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, with the audience seeming completely absorbed in the music. The crowd stood closely together, moving as one while they were swaying, closing their eyes and bobbing their heads to her whispery voice. The colorful and everchanging visuals behind Sekiguchi were almost hypnotic, pulling the crowd further into her sound.
Mid-show, Sekiguchi played her cover of Julee Cruise’s “Falling,” fitting effortlessly into the set. The crowd remained gently and earnestly engaged throughout the show, which was a beautiful thing to watch. Cheers arose and couples slow-danced as she played her cult classic “Hardly Ever Smile(without you).”
One of the most memorable and beautiful parts of the show was that it was probably the most phoneless concert I have ever been to. POiSON GiRL FRiEND emerged in the ‘90s, and the way the audience experienced the night firmly in the present moment made me feel like I was transported to her very first show.
She closed out with “Sunday Morning,” another beautiful cover of a track by The Velvet Underground & Nico. The energy remained high as the show closed out. People took their time leaving, taking in the space and the music that had filled it throughout the warm September night.
POiSON GiRL FRiEND’s tour will finish in Mexico City in October, catch the tail end of the tour as they travel through Oregon, Washington, and California!
