TAYLOR ACORN ROCKS NEW YORK CITY
GRAMERCY THEATER — NEW YORK, NY
Taylor Acorn is living proof that it was never just a phase, Mom. Acorn just kicked off a 24-stop North American tour in support of her sophomore album, Poster Child, with her second stop at Gramercy Theater in New York City on November 6th. The floor was packed from front to back with sign carrying fans dressed in either some kind of band merch from the early 2000s.
Opening up with the title track, “Poster Child”, Acorn took the stage with a winning smile and bursting with energy. In an era of soundbite-driven music, Acorn’s music is refreshingly authentic. Having been inspired by early 2000s alternative music, Acorn leans into the sounds the audience knows and loves, while paving her own path. Her music is consistently catchy and easy to connect with emotionally.
Despite packing nearly 20 songs into an hour set, Acorn never lost her stamina; effortlessly hitting those high notes just as perfectly as the recording. After playing “People Pleaser”, the opener to Poster Child, Acorn revisited some of her older tracks, including “I think I’m in Love” and “Coma” before launching into “Blood on Your Hands”, a battle cry for the heartbroken girls in the crowd.
Acorn followed with one of her favorites off the new album, according to her, “Cheap Dopamine”, which finishes off with a drum solo by her long-time touring drummer, Connor Allen, who, despite being fresh off a plane from Tokyo, didn’t miss a single beat. Something that sets Taylor Acorn shows apart is the entirety of her band, something you’ve just got to see to be able to appreciate. Her guitarist, Ricky, shredded his solos while spinning in a circle and occasionally swinging the guitar around his neck. (You can see for yourself here.)
Before playing “Sucker Punch”, the tenth song of the night, Acorn reflected on finally being signed to Fearless Records earlier this year after nine years of being an independent artist. “I can’t believe that this is my job and I get to be here with you and sing these songs.” That same day, Acorn received her first billboard in Times Square, an often overlooked, but actually monumental feat for an artist when you really think about it.
Whether following Taylor Swift’s lead (who she has listed as an inspiration) or unintentionally, the fifth track on Poster Child and the 11th song of the evening is without a doubt the most gutwrenching. While strumming an acoustic guitar, Acorn discussed how her father’s passing in 2001 inspired her to write the song “Home Videos.” A beautifully devastating piece about the innocence of childhood, which had quite a number of the audience members in full-on sobs. (Highly recommend checking out themusic video, but be warned—you also may find yourself in full-on sobs.)
Acorn and the audience quickly snapped back to dance mode for“Crashing Out” and “Hangman”, two of the catchiest songs off Poster Child that I haven’t seemed to be able to get out of my head since the show. The main set was closed out by “Reminisce,” her EDM crossover with producer Said the Sky, and “Birds Still Sing”, a powerful ode to survival. The encore consisted of “Shapeshifting” and “Psycho.”
I don’t say this lightly, but Taylor Acorn just may be the next Avril Lavigne, the pop punk princess we deserve. Nine years in and now officially a signed artist, Acorn is clearly just getting started.
