Home for the Holidays: Madelline and Friends light up Park City Music Hall
Review written for The Concert Chronicles. Original article here.
There’s something special about a hometown show, and December 19 at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport was proof of that magic. Three Connecticut-grown artists—Internet Tears, Natalie Carr, and Madelline—came home for the holidays, and the crowd welcomed them like old friends. The night was packed with heart, high-energy hooks, and a surprise Santa on guitar that turned the stage into pure holiday magic.
Internet Tears opened the night with the kind of set that grabs your attention and refuses to let go. Their burst of raw emotion and indie-pop grit set the tone with songs that balanced vulnerability and edge. Their music gives off serious indie-film soundtrack vibes—the kind that make you want to sit in your car and feel everything all at once.
Natalie Carr followed with a set that felt like flipping through a diary full of late-night thoughts and big dreams. Her voice had a smoky richness that poured effortlessly over polished beats and catchy choruses. Carr has the kind of presence that feels both polished and deeply personal, balancing pop shine with singer-songwriter soul. It’s no surprise the crowd vibed with the mix of confidence and confession woven into her music.
And then came Madelline—a headliner who didn’t just take the stage, but owned it. Her voice has the smooth, emotional pull that made every song feel personal, kind of like Billie Eilish, but with her own unique vibe. Then there was her stage presence—bold, playful, and totally magnetic, channeling the theatrical energy of Chappell Roan. Between the storytelling, the killer vocals, and the way she worked the stage, it was one of those performances that stuck with you. Fairfield County’s own didn’t just put on a show—she made it an experience! Every song felt like a performance piece, equal parts vulnerable and fierce, with moments that made you want to dance and others that made you stop and feel.
Madelline has been turning heads and building momentum with a string of viral hits that perfectly balance emotional depth with playful, rebellious energy. Take “Dopamine”—it’s all about chasing that next high, whether it’s love, excitement, or just feeling alive. The track is smooth, catchy, and a little bit addictive, living up to its name perfectly. Then there’s “I’m Just Here for the Beat”—the kind of song you blast when you don’t want to think too hard and just want to let loose. It’s fun, bold, and totally made for dancing. And if you’ve ever had one of those “enough is enough” moments, “I Fired My Therapist” hits all the right notes. It’s raw, honest, and somehow still playful—a reminder that, sometimes, taking back your power looks a little messy but feels so good. Madelline’s music is more than just catchy—it’s relatable
By the time the lights came up, it felt less like the end of a concert and more like the end of a holiday party you didn’t want to leave. These three acts proved that Connecticut’s music scene isn’t just alive—it’s thriving!
