As we step into February, bands and artists are finally kicking off their year of tours. After a slow end to the year and a quiet January, I was thrilled to get back out and experience a rising pop star truly coming into her own. I had first heard of Maggie Lindemann as a featured artist on various tracks over the years, and I was eager to finally witness her live performance. Maggie launched her I Feel Everything Tour with its first stop at the Music Box in San Diego, CA. Within 15 minutes of the doors opening, the venue was packed like sardines, with fans waiting in eager anticipation for an artist who has connected with them on a deeply personal level.

Opening the tour was indie artist Ayleen Valentine. As the stage was bathed in red lighting, Ayleen strolled out wearing a gas mask and a shimmering white ball gown, creating a hauntingly beautiful image of something lost to the world. She began her set with the song “wanted to **** myself today,” and you could feel the sorrow and weight of dread that likely inspired her writing. Ayleen Valentine was a fascinating contradiction as a performer. While her music carried themes of despair, longing, and loss, her between-song banter revealed a bubbly and energetic personality. It was like watching two halves of a person trade control of the stage.

Ayleen’s setlist included emotionally charged tracks like “two shots in and sobbing,” “cs-80,” “into me,” “sex symbol,” “ask nicely,” and concluded with “don’t be sad.” For her final song, she had the entire crowd chanting and singing along, creating a cathartic moment of connection.

Then it was time for Maggie Lindemann to take the stage for the first stop of her I Feel Everything Tour. As this was her first show following the release of her new album I Feel Everything, the San Diego crowd was lucky enough to hear all the new songs live for the very first time. Maggie opened with “Fang,” strutting onto the stage with a confidence that immediately captivated the audience. Her energy was magnetic—she bounced around the stage, made eye contact with screaming fans, and often lost herself in the music, even collapsing to the floor in moments of raw emotion. The crowd’s energy never wavered, cheering and singing along with every word.

Maggie’s songwriting explores themes of toxic relationships, heartbreak, self-discovery, and mental health struggles, resonating deeply with her predominantly female fanbase. However, the audience wasn’t exclusively women—there was a notable presence of men who were equally enthralled, singing their hearts out to music that had clearly touched them just as deeply.

The setlist had a dynamic flow, balancing high-energy anthems with softer ballads. Maggie performed every track from I Feel Everything, along with fan favorites like “self sabotage,” “Crash and Burn,” “girl next door,” “Scissorhands,” “Knife Under My Pillow,” “she knows it,” “I’m so lonely with you,” and “hostage.” The encore featured “break me!” and “GASLIGHT!,” with a surprise appearance by Siiickbrain, making for an unforgettable finale. Fans left the venue elated, feeling like they couldn’t have asked for more.

As the first show of the tour, San Diego set a high bar for the energy and enthusiasm Maggie Lindemann can expect from her audiences on the road. From the constant cheering to the crowd’s singing that occasionally overpowered Maggie’s vocals, to the tears shed by fans deeply moved by her music, this performance was a testament to her growth as an artist. Maggie Lindemann isn’t just a pop idol—she’s a true artist who has taken a significant leap forward in cementing her place in the music industry. With tour dates across North America running through April, don’t miss your chance to see the next pop-punk princess in action.