It’s been 3 years since indie singer Phoebe Bridgers made a public appearance. Now, after several years of fans pondering her uncertain return, Bridgers has crash-landed into the public eye, bringing new music along with her.
It’s been six years since Bridger’s release of her sophomore album, Punisher, and three years since Boygenius’, a musical project consisting of Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Bridgers, debut album, the record. Since then, the singer has catapulted into fame, gaining a larger audience in spite of her prolonged absence from the music scene. Now, after an agonizing wait, Bridgers is playing some of her first solo shows in three years.
The Phoebe Bridgers phenomenon
Before 2020, Bridgers had just released her debut album, Stranger in the Alps, in 2017, gaining a small but dedicated fanbase. This release had transformed Bridgers into a niche indie artist. However, after the release of Punisher, the singer catapulted from a small indie artist to an indie rock star.
Perhaps what played a major role in Bridgers’ newfound success and popularity was the looming presence of COVID-19. With a global economic shutdown, warnings to stay at home and mask up, and prevalent fearmongering, people needed an outlet to express themselves, and what better way to do that than listening to music? Bridgers’ music perfectly captured the anxiety, depression, and loneliness that people were feeling during this time.
With Punisher, the singer channels the influence of Elliott Smith and alt-rock sounds, while her soft and airy voice delivers her raw, personal, and intense lyrics. With her breakthrough in popularity, Bridgers gained critical acclaim all over the world and even scored 4 nominations at the 63rd Grammy Awards, including best alternative music album and best new artist.
Bridgers’ wave of popularity did not end there, as the singer was featured on the rerecording of Taylor Swift’s Red, providing vocals for the song “Nothing New.” This song introduced many Swifties to Bridgers’ music, bringing a new wave of fans to Phoebe’s music.
The rise of Boygenius
In 2023, Bridgers came back to collaborate with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus on their musical group, Boygenius. Back in 2018, the group had previously released their self-titled debut EP, boygenius. Now the group had come back full-force with their debut album, the record, which garnered major critical acclaim and was nominated for six Grammys at the 66th Grammy Awards, including album of the year. The trio took home three of their nominations that night, including best rock song and best alternative music album.
The trio embarked on an international tour for their album, playing songs from their new and old records. They also took the time to play some songs from each member’s solo careers, such as Baker’s song “Good News,” Dacus’ song “Night Shift,” and Bridgers’ song “Motion Sickness.” During this tour, the group also released a sophomore EP, the rest, as a follow-up to the record.
The Eras Tour
During Taylor Swift’s historic Eras Tour, Bridgers opened for the pop singer on the first leg of the tour. For the final shows of the tour, Bridgers joined Swift on stage to perform “Nothing New.” She even had her bandmates from boygenius join her on stage during the Nashville stops of the tour.
Besides, Boygenius’ attendance at the 66th GRAMMY Awards, the Eras Tour performances marked Phoebe’s final public appearance before she disappeared from the public eye for three years.
Sightings during hiatus
After nearly living in the public eye for several years due to the promotion and tour of both Punisher and the record, Bridgers was well-due for an extended break, keeping out of the spotlight for most of that time. However, the singer did provide vocals for some songs and produced some music during this time.
In 2024, the psychological horror drama “I Saw the TV Glow” was released. The film follows Owen, a teenager who becomes obsessed with a mysterious late-night TV show, The Pink Opaque. However, soon Owen’s view of reality slowly begins to unravel and crack. During a club scene, Bridgers makes an appearance alongside the band Sloppy Jane to perform “Claw Machine,” a song featured on the movie’s soundtrack. Although her scene was brief, she made a lasting impression on viewers with her haunting vocals.
In 2025, Bridgers was spotted on the set of Primetime, the feature film debut of Lance Oppenheim. The film will follow a journalist, played by Robert Pattinson, who “takes on an underworld of crime and ends up changing television forever,” according to Variety. Although photos of Bridgers with the singer, who is wearing purple hair and in costume, reveal details regarding her specific role, they have yet to be disclosed.
2026 comeback
Out of the blue on May 7, flyers in Roswell, New Mexico, began to pop up for a Phoebe Bridgers show the next day at The Liberty. The rules were strict, stating that no cellphones, smartwatches, smartglasses, cameras, or recording devices would be allowed during the show.
During the show, Bridgers played some songs from her past two albums and performed three new, unreleased songs, which appeared to be from her next album. New space-themed merch was sold at the show, and the pouches that contained show-goers’ phones each contained a puzzle piece. Some fans are speculating that the puzzle pieces make up a bigger picture for Phoebe’s next single or possibly be the cover art for her new album.
Bridgers has continued to perform these small pop-up shows across the country, mainly in cities deeply connected to alien sightings and extraterrestrial lore, supposedly keeping on theme with her new album’s rumored aesthetic. During these shows, Bridgers has continued to change up the setlist by performing both different songs from her past albums and new songs off her upcoming album.
The singer said she will continue to play more shows as long as fans continue to remain respectful of her boundaries. However, with the slew of “fans” following her tour bus to get tickets to her next pop-up show, this remains uncertain, as the possibility of more pop-up shows could be torn out from under fans if this behavior continues.
The future is Phoebe Bridgers
Although there is uncertainty about where the singer might pop up next, we are certain that there is a new Phoebe Bridgers album coming. Maybe it will come later this year, maybe next year, but new music is imminent.
As for what her new music might sound like, fans who attended the pop-up shows have claimed that her new music sounds similar to her single “Sidelines.” Expect more heartbreaking and raw lyrics from the singer.
It’s yet to be known whether Bridgers will go on a larger tour to promote her new album, or if these pop-up shows are the tour itself. Hopefully, Bridgers will go on a large-scale tour when her new music drops.
