Photos courtesy of Eiza Murphy and Cole Ferguson
Rising pop it-girl kenzie is confronting her newfound vulnerability head-on. Despite being a familiar name, the 20 year old songwriter has made significant strides in personalizing her own style. Starting from the ground up, kenzie’s authenticity has been cultivated over years of self discovery. Joining Mark Ambor on his upcoming Rockwood tour, she is gradually rediscovering her identity and her music.
Upon spotting kenzie’s name on the concert lineup, I immediately dropped what I was doing and contacted my managers to claim the opportunity. Opting for an unconventional route, I left Vegas at 10 am that morning, returned at 5 pm, and set out again at 6 pm to cover her concert. The last-minute relocation to El Rey Theatre proved to be an intriguing decision- though smaller than The Fonda, the space was brimming with people spanning from five to 50 years old. Despite Mark Ambor boasting over 18.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, I thoroughly believe that for many, the highlight of the evening was kenzie’s performance.
Wearing a textured red skirt, boho belt, and a simple black tank top, the artist sparked a feeling of familiarity within me. Seeing her sport an outfit similar to mine going out, coupled with her relatable age to many of her fans, will undoubtedly aid her in transitioning to larger venues. Drawing similar parallels to the development of Olivia Rodrigo and Tate Mcrae, and with the support of her new management team, I truly believe kenzie has the foundation to make it big.
The set list recounts the journey of a young girl discovering the power of her voice, quite literally, as a form of rebellion and strength. Kicking off the evening with “biting my tongue”, an emotional tribute to remaining quiet in toxic relationships, you can see kenzie’s confidence blossoming with each subsequent song. Initially, her vocals, slightly shaky as she began with her slower songs, gradually gained resonance as the performance continued.
Kenzie’s voice carries an eeriness that enables the audience to grasp the depth of her experiences. The inclusion of techno beats adds a spunk to her music that sets her apart from the typical pop genre where many artists tend to get lost. In the second track of the set list, “me I was”, kenzie’s delicate yet beautiful voice merges perfectly with the underlying dance-pop tempo, exuding a certain rawness to it. As she transitioned into “paper”, I detected hints of Chappell Roan’s sultry voice, Gracie Abrams’ authenticity, and witnessed an artist who exuded genuine self-assurance and pride in her craft.
One aspect of kenzie that I am certain to appreciate is her ability to use comedic humor to connect with her audience and offer them a glimpse into her life. As the crowd cheered her on, kenzie’s smile widened, touching every single person in the room. Though her set lasted just 30 minutes, her final two songs best showcased her range as an artist. “Anatomy”, the emotional cornerstone of her album, is a deeply vulnerable and heart-wrenching letter to her father. In contrast, she closed with “Bad 4 You”, a dark electronic bop that stood apart from the rest of her music, highlighting her raspiness and power.
Seeing kenzie in concert was not only a nostalgic ode to my childhood but also a meaningful step forward in my journalism career. As she continues to evolve, she is not just discovering her voice, but also claiming her own place in the pop landscape. You can catch kenzie’s new music live on her international tour with Mark Ambor or stream it across all major platforms.
