As one of Australia’s most anticipated upcoming artists, Alex Lahey continues to remain true to herself on-and-off stage.

The 24-year-old showed up wearing a flannel over a “lazy day” graphic t-shirt while the overly excited group of fans awaited the first song on her setlist. “You don’t like sports and I don’t like dresses/ Luckily for us, our parents got the message” Lahey began. The chorus for “I Love You Like A Brother” rolled off the audience’s tongues in unison as the crowd inched closer to the stage.

Alex Lahey’s debut album I Love You Like A Brother describes her varying relationships with past girlfriends, herself, family and you guessed it, her younger brother. In an hour, a relaxed but energetic Alex Lahey took fans through a quick runthrough of all her songs at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Opening acts Cold Fronts and Pronoun shredded the stage before the main act. Cold Fronts opened the show promptly at 8:30pm to a small group of people who held their drinks close-by and awaited a night of music they had braved the nearing thunderstorms for. Lead singer Craig Almquist took everyone by surprise when he jumped into the crowd and circled the room, creating an even more intimate experience for the concertgoers.

Pronoun, an indie rock artist from Brooklyn, New York grazed the stage wearing a white t-shirt. Alyse Vellturo played songs from her EP “There’s no one new around you” and allowed her personality to shine in between sharing the history behind her songs and their titles. Once Pronoun ended her set, the crowd had doubled as they waited for Lahey to take the stage at 10:15pm.

Alex Lahey included popular songs “Ivy League,” “Wes Anderson” and “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” from her EP B-Grade University in her hour-long setlist. Lyrically, I Love You Like A Brother is a continuation of how her relationships have developed from “you text me at the wheel, which you really shouldn’t do” to “you say that you want me but you don’t act what you do.” Added on was an instrumental flow that allowed the lyrics to take center stage.

Lahey’s signature cover has always been Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” which adds on to what she has been saying all along; relationships are complicated.

Alex Lahey was a breath of fresh air and exactly what we’ve been needing. She ended the night with “Everyday’s The Weekend” and shared what she plans to do next. “After this tour I’ll be taking some much needed me time, I’ve gotta go work on more music for you guys!” Lahey cheerfully said before leaving the stage then returning to perform her encore set of “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” and “I Haven’t Been Taking Care Of Myself.”

As Lahey and her bandmates stood holding hands on stage, her face said it all. The grinning smile, sparkling eyes and love radiating from her shoulders showed how grateful she was for the opportunity to share her music with the world. In that moment, Alex Lahey knew she left behind a pleased audience that will continue supporting her.