GALLERY: David Kushner

Elina Carrasco

Nov 12

AUSTIN, TX | STUBB’S BBQ |NOVEMBER 12, 2024 | BY ELINA CARRASCO

Eager fans arrived hours before doors opened, forming a line that snaked around the entire building at Stubb’s in anticipation of David Kushner's performance. Opening the night, Henrik dazzled the crowd with his energy and charisma. By his second song, the audience was already waving their arms together, and his humor shone through when he jokingly introduced himself as Ed Sheeran. Toward the end of his set, Henrik encouraged everyone to share a hug with their friends, saying, "everyone could use a hug," before launching into his track “Good On You.” Henrik also performed his rendition of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” playfully urging the crowd to sing louder than the previous cities on the tour.

David Kushner followed with a powerful set that had fans chanting his name long before he even appeared. As he stepped onto the stage, a wave of excitement consumed the crowd, particularly from the tweens pressed against the barricade, their hands covering their mouths as tears streamed down their faces. Known for his deeply personal lyrics and rich, emotive voice, Kushner performed a mix of soulful ballads and reflections. He introduced “Mr. Forgettable” with a touching tribute to his grandfather. Each song was infused with profound reflection and emotion, accentuated by lingering smoke on stage and vivid lighting—soft blue hues illuminated tracks like “Buried at Sea,” while deep red tones heightened the intensity of “Burn.” The set featured a range of emotions, from the ethereal stillness of “Elk Grove” to the yearning intensity of “Cigarettes.” For the final song, “Daylight,” which the crowd eagerly begged for after he left the stage before the encore, Kushner stepped into the audience, sharing the mic with fans, bringing the night to an unforgettable close.