Finneas @ 9:30 Club [DC] - 11/14/21
Finneas performing at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. (Photo ©2021 Hailey Collins)
This week the 9:30 Club hosted Finneas O’Connell for 2 back-to-back sold-out shows. Known well for writing and producing with huge artists including Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and of course his sister, Billie Eilish, Finneas is now on tour for his debut solo album, Optimist.
The Grammy award winning artist took the stage in a sleek grey suit. He opened with the album’s lead single, “A concert Six Months From Now,” an acoustic ballad written mid-pandemic about attempting to secure hope for the future. Despite his tour being called the “Optimist Tour,” many of the songs he performed dealt with heavier subject matters. “What They’ll Say About Us,” is about actor Nick Cordero’s battle with COVID, and “Love Is Pain” is about the inevitability of losing the people you love.
Finneas treated the crowd to a super intimate set. He jumped into the pit a few times to interact with fans and responded to the crowd’s inquiries about his dog and family in between songs. He performed the majority of his latest album as well as selects from his previous EP, Blood Harmony. The multitalented artist switched between playing piano, guitar, and dancing around the stage. Highlights include Finneas dancing on top of his piano while performing, “How It Ends,” and “The 90’s,” where his warped auto-tuned vocals complimented the chorus about nostalgia for a time before technology took over.
LA-based singer and producer, Marinelli, opened for the Finneas’ late show. Marinelli’s latest EP, FUNNY BONE, is out now on streaming services.
