Susannah Joffe played her largest to date headlining show at Elsewhere on May 27. The breakout star sold out the Brooklyn rooftop for a mid-week performance, making a typical Wednesday feel like the official start of summer. Joined by opening act Julip, the two singer-songwriters filled the picturesque May night with indie-pop music and electric energy.
Opener: Julip
A software engineer by day, opener Julip combines her coding expertise with music production. She went viral on TikTok by showing off a program she developed to create vocal arrangements through coded hand and facial gestures. Julip split her 30 minute set in half, with the first section being a solo production-heavy live experience, and the second half being backed by a full band.
Susannah Joffe
Headliner Susannah Joffe is a star on the rise. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Joffe blends her country roots and indie popstar persona beautifully. Graduating with a film degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022, Joffe has since transitioned to music. Always a creative, she now uses her film background to self-direct her music videos and to provide a cinematic lens to her songwriting.
From her sold out night in Brooklyn, it’s easy to see that Joffe’s already prepared to go places. With a sound reminiscent of Chappell Roan, Ethel Cain, and Clairo, the 25-year-old newcomer’s depth stems from her powerful songwriting. Stemming from relatable queer experiences, relationship struggles, and inner turmoil, everyone can find something personally relevant within Joffe’s discography.
As the air cooled and sunset dipped to dusk, Joffe and her backing band arrived to the Elsewhere Rooftop. Starting her set with “Your Mothers Name,” Joffe’s band members – guitarist Ben Coleman, drummer Noah Rauchwerk, and violinist Lila Lifton – took to the stage in matching western fringe tops. A few seconds before the first verse, the strawberry-blonde singer arrived on stage in a fringe two-piece set. The melancholy lyrics about unrequited love were disguised by the song’s danceable beat and energetic build. Fans immediately locked in on seeing their favorite rising singer in an intimate venue, with many filming for a short second before keeping their phone pocketed for the rest of the set. Friends and family of the singer were also present, rounding out a crowd of devoted Susannah Joffe stans.
“Sofia Coppola” brought a fun fan experience. Looking into the crowd, Joffe picked one lucky fan (which actually ended up being two, when both fans thought she was pointing at them) onto the stage to be her Sofia Coppola for the night. The idea, very similar to Role Model’s “Sally” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” Girl, gives chosen fans an even bigger and better on-stage experience with their favorite artist. Funnily enough, the two Joffe fans ended up befriending each other on stage, chatting between lyrics to introduce themselves.
Annie DiRusso, another rising indie-pop sensation and a good friend of Joffe, joined her onstage as a surprise special guest. The two, who share a similar fan base, gave the Brooklyn crowd a very special, memorable experience.
Susannah Joffe is set to perform at All Things Go in Washington DC this September, a festival she has “been dreaming of playing … for years (It was actually on [her] vision board for 2026).” This tremendous achievement comes from years of hard work and determination from Joffe. She serves as a perfect example of the rising artist – the trials and tribulations of entering the music industry are worth it to share your talents with the world, discover your voice, and build a community in the process.
Susannah Joffe – Elsewhere Rooftop – May 27, 2026
Setlist: Your Mothers Name, Texas Baby, Suddenly, Madeline, Sofia Coppola, You’d Kill Me If You Could, Call Me Pretty, Stillborns and Six Lane Highways, You Ruined Paris, Deer in Headlights, Happiness is Just a Myth, All I See Is a Sky, Omophagia, Die Your Daughter
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