Aidan Bissett Kicks Off Supernova Tour in Seattle
WRITTEN BY CALLIE SOLBERG, PHOTOS BY SOPHIA KINGSLEYA charged crowd gathered under the gleaming neon green lights of Neumos in Seattle this week, eagerly gathering long before the show commenced to see one of the youngest up and coming voices in music; Aidan Bissett. As the sun set over the Capitol Hill neighborhood, a line stretched down the block and around the corner. Fans chatted enthusiastically about the artist’s talent, lamented on previous shows they had attended, and gushed over the singer’s dreamy persona.
Passerby commented on the amount of young people in the crowd, which tracks with Bissett’s songwriting and career history. His lyrics touch on themes of teenagehood – heartbreak, the uncertainty of youth, confusing friendships and falling in love. Bissett himself only just turned 22 in February, a testament to his early success and the source for his sentimental yet upbeat songwriting. It was back in 2020 that Bissett used the pandemic as a catalyst for leaning into his creative ventures, developing his vocals and posting clips of his music on TikTok, where he gained audience traction. As a senior in high school, he was signed to Capitol Records at just 18 and has since accumulated over 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Long before he stepped on stage, it was evident that Bissett had garnered an enthusiastic following. One fan described going to one of the “Park Sessions” in Seattle the previous month, remarking on how intimate the performance felt, where Bissett spread out on a blanket and a guitar with the crowd. Others recalled the excitement of getting the chance to do a meet and greet at past shows, raving about how warm and welcoming the singer’s demeanor was.
The opening act kicked off with animated cheers as Stevie Bill, a Dutch singer and songwriter, took the stage. Clad in a red and black plaid skirt, white button up and hoop earrings, the singer lilted into the mike with a sugary sweet voice before jamming away at her guitar. The crowd went wild for “Hahaha” and a slower song “Amsterdam”, an ode to her hometown. She dedicated a rendition of her recent single, “Hurts To Hold On”, to a fan in the crowd going through a breakup. “Even though it hurts to let go of something it can also hurt more to hold on to something”, she said, handing a rose and note of encouragement to the audience member. The crowd emphatically sang along with her melodic cover of Katy Perry’s “Friday Night” before she said goodbye and departed the stage.
As the lights dimmed, the crowd lit up with cheers and fans quickly pulled their phones out to capture Bissett’s entrance. He cruised onto stage confidently, sporting a leather jacket and studded belt, flocked by his bandmates. The energy in the room was sky-high as he dove into the first song of the night, “All That I’m Craving”. The artist emanated an easy and dynamic energy, sliding from one end of the stage to the other and rocking out with his bandmates. The high notes, energetic guitar solo and animated drum set had the whole room jumping for “Out Of My League”, a catchy and exuberant song.
“We’re gonna slow it down for you now,” the singer informed the crowd, climbing off the stage and making his way to the center of the floor. Suddenly he pulled the same fan, who earlier received a rose from Stevie Bill, from the audience, exclaiming “Wait, I know you!”. It was a happy coincidence – the two had attended middle school together. They embraced in the center of the dance floor to delighted laughter and cheers, marking a moment which embodied Bissett’s inviting and energetic presence.
The singer drifted into “A Song for Her”, crooning gently into the mic before raising his arms and delivering the cue for the crowd to scream along at specific intervals. Back on stage, the singer performed an unreleased song he had recently put together called “Do You Want More”, with sultry vocals and low beats reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys. The crowd was incredibly receptive, with fans whooping and calling out asking him to release the song.
Technical issues threatened the flow of the performance several times throughout the night, but even after having to swap guitars mid-song, Bissett kept the show moving smoothly, reminding everyone that “It’s only the first night of the tour”. At one point the guitar strap snapped clean off, and although Bissett expressed that he was unused to performing so many songs in a row with no guitar, his pitch-perfect vocals and easy going demeanor demonstrated a natural stage presence. Purple lights bathed the singer on stage for “Ultraviolet”, a mellow song with ambient instrumentals. He hyped the crowd back up for “More Than Friends”, an infectiously catchy song that tops the singers chart with over 77 million streams.
Bissett wrapped the night with “Tripping Over Air” which got everyone jumping and dancing along to the infectious beat and cheeky lyrics, “She likes boys that play guitar / Tattooed arms and a beat up car / I know she’s gonna break my heart / But I don’t fucking care / That she don’t fucking care”.
Bissett’s style is standout, reflecting in even parts sentimental lyrics, captivating rhythms and a striking stage presence. His carefree and confident attitude and desire to connect with his fans is easily one of the singer’s most attractive merits. With a sound comparable to Harry Styles, The Neighbourhood and The Driver Era, this young artist is bringing a refreshing and intimate flair to the indie-rock scene.
Tickets are on sale now for the rest of the “Supernova: How’s It Gonna End” Tour, which extends until mid May in North America.
