Steph Strings: From Melbourne Pubs to Global Stages – 5 Moments From Her Brooklyn Debut

Brooklyn, NY – Australian singer-songwriter Steph Strings captivated a sold-out crowd at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg on Monday night, marking her first headlining present in the United States and signaling a potential breakthrough moment for the Melbourne-based artist.

Strings, 25, has quickly gained recognition for her intricate guitar work and emotionally resonant songwriting. Her debut album, Feel Alive, released on January 9, debuted at number 17 on the Australian ARIA album charts, a notable achievement for a fully independent release. The album followed a series of EPs – Allegoric Oceans (2018), Wildfire (2022), Lion (2023), and Cradle Mountain (2024) – that built a dedicated following.

The Brooklyn performance showcased Strings’ evolution from a street performer, who, at age 19, first sang publicly at The Evelyn Hotel in Melbourne’s Fitzroy neighborhood, to a confident and engaging performer. She opened the show with a nod to fellow Australian guitarist John Butler, playing his song “Sunrise” before launching into her own material.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be doing my own headline show in Brooklyn, N.Y.,” Strings told the audience, expressing her disbelief and gratitude. The setlist blended songs from Feel Alive with earlier works, including a performance of “Dusty Roads,” a song that has garnered over 2.1 million streams on Spotify.

Strings’ performance wasn’t solely focused on musical prowess. She shared anecdotes about her journey, recounting a story about considering a career in physiotherapy before a chance encounter with an older woman on an Australian road trip inspired her to pursue music. She referenced this experience in her song “Lila,” from her 2023 EP, Lion, singing about meeting a “witch in Mullumbimby” who encouraged her to follow her dreams.

A striking element of the evening was the attentive silence of the audience during Strings’ performance. She fostered a connection with the crowd, encouraging them to sing along on choruses of songs like “Gratefully” and a cover of Xavier Rudd’s “Follow the Sun.” A fan shouted out a request for “Wildfire” from her 2022 EP, demonstrating the breadth of her existing fanbase.

Strings concluded the show with a performance of her instrumental piece “San Remo,” which she described as her response to John Butler’s “Ocean.” Holding her guitar aloft, she expressed her excitement for the future, stating, “I’m 25 years old. I’m from Australia. And this is just the beginning.”

Strings’ North American tour continues with dates in Europe and Australia, culminating in a performance at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June, and supporting dates with Jesse Wells in July, August and October.