The Happy Fits says CELLO to Irving Plaza, NYC | Photos & Review | Throwback Thursday
February 5, 2026 Leave a comment
A night of top-tier indie-rock tunes, locked in fans from the front to the back of the house, a surprise marriage proposal, and to top it all off: The most badass electric cello performance ever known to humankind. No one does it quite like The Happy Fits.
The high-energy band returned to New York City on December 10, 2025, at Irving Plaza in support of their stellar fourth studio album, Lovesick, released in September.
Originally set to play at the Brooklyn Paramount days later, the band announced weeks in advance that their New York date was rescheduled and would take place at a different venue. Although this Wednesday evening was met with some dreary weather, concerns about nasty rain and mid-week haze were left at the door, as it began with not one, but two standout support performances.
NYC-based band Double Standard opened the night, setting the tone for an evening of incredible indie vibes and powerful female vocalists taking the stage. Everything from their confident presence, comfort in front of an audience, and overall style had me hooked from the first note of their opening song, “nvr c u again,” through “Crush.”
The five-piece project toured in support of their self-titled debut EP, Double Standard, released earlier in the summer. Performing seven of the eight songs on their project, Double Standard’s set provided the perfect introduction of the band to a largely new audience, and had me sharing their music with friends before they even left the stage.
The second act of the night was the vibrant indie rock band Pom Pom Squad, hailing from Brooklyn, NYC. Performing songs from their latest third studio album, Mirror Starts Moving Without Me (2024), I loved the sweet-but-don’t-cross-me sort of vibes from the whole band, and the enchanting vocals from frontwoman Mia Berrin.
The only bummer of their set was that Berrin spent a majority of the time in dark lighting… Her outfit was gorgeous, and she had such a graceful presence… I wish the audience could see better from the back. However, this was changed throughout the set, and when they broke out the pom poms, they had a moment to (literally) shine!
After a couple of hours of anticipation and plenty of great tunes to set the mood, it was finally time for The Happy Fits to take the stage.
The four-piece put on a performance nothing short of exceptional, yet again beating expectations with their incredible stage presence and electric personalities.
The main character of the night is certainly the electric cello (well, the person playing the cello is included, of course). Vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman plays like no other, spotlighting an otherwise classical instrument in a new, indie-rock environment. This has always been and remains just one of the ways The Happy Fits are so unique – that, and their unmatched raw talent and energy, of course.
The setlist included just under half of the Lovesick album, opening with powerful singles “Cruel Power” and “Everything You Do.” Also from the latest album, The Happy Fits showcased “The Nerve,” “Shake Me,” “Black Hole,” “Do You See Me?,” and “I Could Stare at You for Hours” after a lovely proposal at the back of the house, thanks to the band’s assistance (she said yes!).
“Lovesick #1 (Misery)” was the one song I was particularly excited to hear live. I wish I could relive the moment I first listened to this track, over and over again, as it’s perhaps my favorite from Lovesick (don’t make me choose, though). This song places a spotlight on Raina Mullen’s impeccably emotional vocals. There is something so magical about her delivery, with all its genuine angst and grace, and she exceeded my expectations early in the set.
I had the pleasure of seeing both newest members, Mullen and Nico Rose, in 2023 at Happy Fest, before they were officially a part of the band. I remember being so excited to hear two fresh female voices paired with songs I’ve known and enjoyed for years, in awe of how these beloved tracks just got better and better. Seeing them again, years later, now permanent members and with a brand new album at their side, felt so empowering.
While focusing primarily on the new album, The Happy Fits did anything but neglect their earlier work. It was exciting to see some of my favorites, like “Do Your Worst” from Under the Shade of Green (2022) and “She Wants Me (To Be Loved)” from What Could Be Better? (2020), and some of my all-time faves, “Heart of a Dancer” and “Mary” from Concentrate (2018).
The group went even deeper into their discography when performing “Dirty Imbecile” and “Too Late” from their debut EP Awfully Apeelin’ (2016), making for a memorable show closer for longtime fans.
Beyond their own discography, The Happy Fits also did a fun cover of Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 hit “Go Your Own Way,” perfectly matching the tone of the rest of the set, keeping up with their energy and performing the song as if it were their own!
If you’re in the mood for an uplifting night of positive vibes, a stacked setlist, and incredible indie-rock tunes, The Happy Fits show is the one for you. Bring a group of friends, come in a duo, or find a friend or two in the crowd– You’re bound to run into a smiling face waiting to scream lyrics beside you.
If you’ve missed out on this tour, it’s not too late! The Happy Fits will embark on the second leg of their U.S. Lovesick tour in spring 2026! Tickets and more information are available on their official website, here.
The Happy Fits’ Irving Plaza, New York, NY, 12/10/25 Setlist:
- Cruel Power
- Everything You Do
- She Wants Me (To Be Loved)
- Moving
- Lovesick #1 (Misery)
- Dirty Imbecile
- Do Your Worst
- The Nerve
- Cold Turkey
- I Could Stare at You for hours
- Shake Me
- Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover)
- Hold Me Down
- So Alright, Cool, Whatever
- Black Hole
- Mary
- Do You See Me?
- Heart of a Dancer
- Too Late
Photos & Review byEmily McCormack
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