Review: Brenn! @ Sinclair 4/29

Photo credits: Hayley Hollis

Review by Brooke Grindle 

The Sinclair in Cambridge, Mass., hosted a night I won’t forget on April 29. Folk-pop’s rising star Brenn! took the stage as part of his “Days on End” tour, and from the very first note, it was clear we were in for something truly special. The show was the perfect balance of energy, reflection, and genuine connection — one of those rare experiences where the music, the artist, and the crowd were completely in sync.

Brenn!, originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, only launched his solo career in 2022, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he performs on stage. His viral breakout single “4runner,” the first song he ever recorded in a studio, helped launch him into the spotlight. Since then, he’s developed a signature sound that blends Southern charm with the up-and-coming genre of modern folk-pop. That combination has won the hearts of many music fans, not just in the South, but around the world.

Opening the night was Asiris, a Texas-based folk-pop artist who delivered a moving set. Performing against the backdrop of The Sinclair’s warm and unique vibe, Asiris connected with the crowd through deeply personal lyrics and expressive storytelling. His sound, a modern folk with a pop twist, was a big hit with the audience. If people did not know him before, they definitely know him now. Asiris’s performance was a strong indicator that he, like Brenn!, is part of a new generation reshaping the genre.

When Brenn! walked on stage, guitar in hand and smile on his face, the energy in the room shifted. There was this buzz, this sense of anticipation that only happens when a crowd knows they’re about to witness something memorable. He started with a brief tease of “4runner,” and just that little snippet was enough to send a wave of excitement through the packed venue.

From there, the night unfolded like a conversation between Brenn! and the crowd. He didn’t just sing to us, he sang with us. It wasn’t just a show, it felt like a shared story we were all a part of. Whether it was upbeat, foot tapping tracks that had us dancing or softer, reflective songs that silenced the room, Brenn! navigated it all with charm and heart.

One of the most memorable moments came during a slower track, “Franklin House,” that showcased his roots. With just his voice and guitar filling the quiet space, you could hear every breath, every crack in his vocals. It felt real, vulnerable, like we were getting to see behind the curtain. These moments felt, to me, almost religious. After the concert, I found out that Brenn! takes a lot of inspiration from his childhood, where country music and church hymns made up a big part of his life. 

Between songs, Brenn! shared little anecdotes that added another layer of connection. He also often included the audience, whether it was conversational or singing. He truly bridged the gap between stage and crowd, almost like you are talking to a friend. It reminded me that the best performers aren’t just talented musicians, they’re storytellers, and Brenn! is clearly both.

Then came the full performance of “4runner,” the song that started it all. True to the way he first introduced it online, teasing snippets on TikTok and building anticipation, he held us in suspense until the end of the set. And when the full version finally came, it was magical. The slow build, the emotional climax, the raspy vocals that hit just right, it was like a runner’s high in song form. You could feel it in your chest. Everyone in the room was singing, swaying, fully lost in the rhythm. It was easily one of the most powerful live music moments I’ve experienced.

I left The Sinclair with a hoarse voice and a full heart. There’s something so special about seeing an artist like Brenn! in this moment of his career — still raw, still rising, but already so sure of who he is and what he’s offering. If this show was any indication, Brenn!’s “Days on End” tour is just the start of a journey that’s going to take him to much bigger stages. I feel lucky to have caught him now, in a venue where every note felt close, and every moment felt shared.