After returning home from studying abroad in London and embarking on a four-month European escapade, adjusting back to life in Boston has been challenging, to say the least. The monotony of trudging to class in the freezing cold, only to do it all over again until May 18th, has left me feeling uninspired. As a senior at Tufts University with aspirations of becoming a music agent post-grad, I’ve been craving the rush of live music and any spark of creativity to break up the routine.
During my time as a media intern at Big Night Live, I worked with Brendan, the founder of Music You’re Missing, and recently reached out about getting involved. One of the first opportunities he gave me was attending Molly Grace’s But I’m a Popstar tour at The Sinclair. I was ecstatic. I had been following Molly Grace ever since I first discovered her on TikTok, drawn to her authentic personality, unapologetic queerness, and the fact that she’s a Boston native. One thing I knew for sure: she slays the house down every time she steps on stage. After seeing clips from her award-winning Bonnaroo set, I knew I was in for a treat.
Before the show even began, a massive line stretched down the block, filled with fans adorned in glitter, sparkles, and an overwhelming amount of pink. The excitement in the air was palpable as people mingled, hyping each other up for the night ahead. As I stood there, a bright blue F-150 rolled up, blasting Molly’s music. Behind the wheel– a bald middle-aged man smoking a cigar. Turns out, it was Molly’s dad—absolutely iconic.
There was an undeniable sense of community in the air. Seeing Molly’s name lit up on the sold-out marquee, surrounded by her friends, family, and fans, felt incredibly nostalgic. Growing up in the Massachusetts suburbs, one thing we know how to do is show up loud and proud for the people we love. And on this night, Boston did just that for Molly Grace.
Molly hit the stage with so much energy and excitement, smiling from ear to ear. She fed off the crowd’s energy, delivering impressive vocals while moving all around the stage, flawlessly executing her choreography.
Midway through the set, Molly paused to take a sip from her Patriots tumbler—if you know, you know—before revealing a special surprise for Boston. Veering away from her typical But I’m a Pop Star setlist, she announced that she would be performing Red Line, a heartfelt track about going through a breakup in Boston. Molly has kept the song as her best-kept secret, surprising fans with it during her tours.
In a complete shift from the eclectic disco-pop she opened with, Molly delivered an emotional and heartfelt vocal performance while still holding the audience’s full attention. This song is, by far, my favorite in Molly’s discography. It paints a nostalgic picture of heartbreak in the city of Boston, with clever lyrics like “pretending like we go to Harvard but we weren’t that bright… grabbing my hand as we were merging onto Storrow Drive.” I rarely rave about a particular song, but this one is special, especially for anyone from Boston. More people need to hear it, and we have to get it to Billie and Lisa in the Morning. If you’re from Boston or went to college here, Red Line will hit differently.
Many pop stars like Reneé Rapp, Tate McRae, and Chappell Roan reference heartbreak in the city, but Molly truly captures the full experience. It’s about time someone from Boston sings about Boston. Though it’s a fan favorite, a studio version hasn’t been released yet. In the meantime, fans can enjoy a raw live recording of the track on Spotify—I just added it to the official Music You're Missing Spotify playlist.
Despite a high-energy set, Molly reignited an already electrified audience in her third act, featuring her hits —Grocery Store Song, Lady Lady, and Lover (Love Her)—which had me grooving all around. She closed out the night with her viral song F.E.M.M.E., sending the entire audience into a frenzy as everyone screamed the lyrics. They even passed out pink pom-poms, which I took full advantage of.
After her set, Molly headed straight to the merch table to meet her fans. On vocal rest, she couldn’t speak, but she radiated warmth and excitement through her expressions, hugging every fan who had waited to see her. I sat there for over 45 minutes, watching as she embraced each supporter with genuine care. It was incredibly touching to see her interact with everyone, greeting her mother’s students who had come to support her with the same enthusiasm as an old childhood friend she was thrilled to see again.
What moved me most was witnessing a queer teen in tears, hugged tightly by their mom after meeting Molly, overwhelmed by the kindness she had shown them. Moments like this are special. Music has the power to make people feel seen and represented.
Molly’s gift is her ability to bring joy to those who are often overlooked. There is something so inspiring about someone embracing their truest, most authentic self in a way that allows others to shine just as brightly. Molly Grace is a rising star, and in the darkest times, the brightest stars shine even brighter.
We were fortunate enough to have Molly on the Music You’re Missing Podcast, where she spoke about how her music is a form of resistance and a way to cultivate queer joy. Give it a listen!
By: Keegan Gleason
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