Isabel LaRosa @ Paradise Rock Club 5/9

Photography by Madison Kahler

Review by Caterina Terrizzi

Nestled within the larger pop genre lies the emerging subgenre of dark pop. More prominent among TikTok and younger listeners, this genre has grown in popularity in recent years, with rising artists such as Nessa Barrett and Ari Abdul dominating the field. In 2022, another artist caught audience attention on TikTok: 18-year-old Isabel LaRosa with her single “i’m yours.” Shortly after, she went on to tour with Nessa Barrett in 2023 and Ari Abdul in 2024, making a name for herself in this evolving genre. In April 2025, she released her debut album, “Raven.”

I had the chance to catch her at Paradise Rock Club this past weekend on her Psychopomp Tour, where she was accompanied by her brother, Thomas LaRosa, and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Mercer Henderson. The show started with Thomas warming up the audience by singing various covers, including songs by Ari Abdul and Lord Huron. Afterward, Mercer Henderson took the stage. Her set and stage presence reminded me a lot of Gracie Abrams’ latest album, “Risk,” with its lighthearted pop vibe.

Henderson also engaged heavily with the audience—asking questions that led into new songs and even taking pictures with fans’ cameras during her set. At one point, she put on a handmade ‘Boston’ shirt given by fans in the crowd and wore it for the rest of the night. A personal favorite from her set was a song called “stranger.” Before performing it, she shared that it was the first song she wrote in college and reflected on the fact that she would be receiving her degree the following week.

After a quick break, Isabel LaRosa took the stage. The crowd’s energy during her opening songs was contagious, with fans in the front screaming every word to the choruses. During several songs, she broke into choreographed dances that were impressive. Combined with the wind effects blowing from the front of the stage, it emitted the same vibe as Tate McRae, and helped me understand the rising popularity of artists like her.

LaRosa had a phenomenal stage presence and was able to connect with concertgoers from the front row to the very back, creating a special experience for everyone. Her eye contact swept across the audience, drawing people in and keeping them engaged throughout the set. She also spoke to the crowd like a close friend, sharing personal stories about the inspiration behind her songs and past experiences. At one point, she offered a message of support to the audience, saying, “I love you and I’m here for you.” Along with her own songs, she covered a song from The Weeknd and one from Ari Abdul, which were good choices, as fans from these artists seemed to have a heavy overlap.

Through the show, LaRosa also expressed her gratitude towards the crowd for coming to her show and letting her perform for them. With her brother backing her up on guitar the whole show, she remarked on how this has been a dream of theirs since they were kids, and they were endlessly grateful. 

Although nearly all the fans in the front stayed engaged the whole time, it’s worth noting how her rise through viral TikTok moments has influenced aspects of her show. During her more popular songs, it often felt like I was looking through a sea of phones. Many attendees seemed more focused on capturing the perfect video rather than simply enjoying the moment, something you notice less at shows by “non-TikTok” artists.

After speaking with concertgoers in the crowd, a few admitted they only knew some of her songs from TikTok snippets, rather than having listened to full tracks on streaming platforms. A few weeks ago, I attended a panel with Riggs Morales, A&R Executive at Atlantic Records, who discussed this exact phenomenon.

With TikTok having such a heavy influence on the music industry as a whole, it’s served as a tool for some artists to become successful, while giving others only a brief viral moment. It left me wondering: despite her phenomenal stage presence and genuine audience connection, will Isabel LaRosa grow to reach listeners beyond TikTok? Or will her career remain centered on viral moments? With her new album out and many cities left on her tour, only time will tell.