After wrapping up a successful run of shows in Europe and the UK, alt-pop star Emei kicked off the North American leg of her RABBITHOLE Tour on Monday, March 4, in San Francisco. The tour, in support of her latest EP of the same name, drew a sold-out crowd to The Independent, an intimate venue near the heart of the Alamo Square district. Fans came out in full force, dressed in red, silver, and star-inspired accessories, embracing the Crazy Stupid Love theme from Emei’s newest single. The crowd’s outfits were the perfect mirror to the night’s high-energy atmosphere—bold, confident, and ready to experience something unforgettable.
The night started off extra special for the VIP fans, who were treated to an intimate acoustic set. Emei, sitting on the floor in a circle with the crowd, played a few songs, even throwing in an extra one just for them. It felt more like a chill hangout than a concert, with fans getting to ask questions during a casual Q&A after the songs. She then took the time to meet each fan one-on-one, take pictures, and make sure everyone felt like they had a personal moment with her.
Bay Area native Ashley Mehta opened the night with a pop set that was smooth and laid-back. Her effortless vocals and chill vibe drew the crowd in and kept the energy low-key but engaged. Haiden Henderson followed with a pop-rock performance that was cool and sexy, amping up the mood with his upbeat tracks and undeniable stage presence. By the time Emei hit the stage, the crowd was already hyped up and ready for what was next.
Emei’s performance was pure theater in motion; she wasted no time drawing the crowd in with her dynamic stage presence. Her use of facial expressions was on another level, effortlessly shifting from playful and cheeky to dramatic and intense, bringing an extra layer of emotion to every song. You could see the emotions reflected in her eyes and the tilt of her head—everything about her delivery was part of the performance.
When she wasn’t using her face to tell the story, Emei was commanding the stage. Whether she was jumping around with energy or strutting across the stage, she knew how to use every inch of the space to her advantage. Her movement was as fluid as her vocals, weaving from one side of the stage to the other, giving fans all over the room a chance to feel the full power of her presence. There was never a dull moment, with every shift in her position bringing a new energy to the crowd.
Her setlist was a showcase of her range, from bubbly and energetic tracks like “Sugarcoat” and “711” to petty and dramatic anthems like “You Are Bad” and “That Girl.” The crowd hung on every word, singing along with Emei and fully immersing themselves in the emotion of each song. Her lyrics are relatable, with a raw intimacy and dark edge that adds an extra bite—fans could feel that depth in every note.
One of the most striking moments came during “Ginger Tea,” an unreleased song dedicated to her recently passed grandmother. Emei slowed things down, walking into the crowd and sitting in the center, creating an intimate connection with her fans. She shushed the crowd to create a moment of pure silence, and as the room held its breath, Emei began layering vocal loops before seamlessly transitioning into “甜蜜蜜” by Teresa Teng. The crowd was entranced, and it was a moment that showed off not just her vocal ability, but her ability to command the emotional space of a room.
In a fun twist later in the show, Haiden Henderson returned to the stage for a surprise duet of Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” with Emei bringing the playful energy and Haiden adding his own cool vibe to the mix. The real shocker came when Emei’s guitarist, Eric McCoy, stepped up to rap Ludacris’s verse from the song. It was a totally unexpected moment that had the crowd laughing and loving every second of it, showing the lighter side of their performances and chemistry.
Emei’s San Francisco show proved she’s more than just a rising star—she’s an artist who knows how to create a powerful connection with her fans. From her theatrical stage presence to the intimate moments, she made it clear that every show is an experience, not just a performance. If her sold-out shows are any indication, Emei is only going to get bigger, and you won’t want to miss your chance to fall down the rabbit hole with her. Grab your tickets for the rest of the RABBITHOLE Tour here, and listen to Emei’s latest EP below.
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