Hemlocke Springs Turns Thalia Hall Into a World of Play and Spectacle
Chicago, Illinois - May 30, 2026
The explosive and experimental music of Hemlocke Springs turned Thalia Hall into a full-on spectacle to be seen on Saturday, May 30th. On The Apple Tree Under the Sea Tour, Hemlocke Springs brought another level of storytelling into her show that set her apart from any ordinary concert experience. The singer, originating from Raleigh, NC, brought energy of glitter, silliness, puppet masks, and pirate hats to Thalia Hall and fans could simply not get enough. The dress code for the night was Sea of 1000 Colors, and the audience absolutely delivered with a range of sparkling hair extensions, glittery makeup, crocheted outfits, and everything in between.
The show's opening act, titled The Girl, served as an extension of Hemlocke Springs' storytelling, opening in more of a stand-up theatrical performance that immediately set the night's tone. Starting with the line, "So there was this apple," the story itself was a rollercoaster of plots and humor surrounding the main character of the Apple (pronounced AH-pel) and its journey through battles with The Evil Queen, Ayo Edebiri, and Bibble. Light-hearted and genuinely funny, the opening pushed the fantasy world that has been woven throughout her tour. For an artist already known for her monumental approach to alt-pop, opening with this kind of storytelling bit showcases her ingenuity and fearlessness to be completely, unapologetically silly and invites her fans to get comfortable for the wild ride ahead.
To be frank, this was a show where fans were fully immersed in a world of play and freedom. Entering the stage in a holographic outfit, pirate cap, and masquerade mask, Hemlocke Springs made it immediately clear she is, without question, your favorite artist's favorite artist. Kicking off her set with "the red apple," a more dramatic track that served as the perfect doorway into her musically diverse world, each song pulled the crowd further into themes of euphoria, 80s synthpop, and pure enchantment. Upbeat synths and experimental beats had the audience dancing with explosive emotion from start to finish.
A mid-show highlight came when Hemlocke paused to express genuine gratitude to her fans, and was gifted a crocheted octopus hat made that same day in honor of the show's theme which she proudly wore for the remainder of the set. The crowd went wild for fan favorites like “Girlfriend” and “Enknee1”, though the energy never really dropped; it stayed loud and proud all night long. The show closed on a heartwarming note, with the crowd celebrating each other's commitment to the theme and the shared world Hemlocke Springs so effortlessly creates.
Be sure to check out Hemlocke Springs new album, the apple tree under the sea, aswell as her past album going…going..GONE!
