Corbyn Besson’s Return: More Than Just a Concert
- Miranda Wyman
- Mar 26
- 6 min read
A night that celebrated both his journey as an artist and the fans who’ve been there since the very beginning, all in one unforgettable show.
Article and Photos Contributed by Miranda Wyman
Corbyn Besson’s return to the stage felt less like a typical concert and more like a long-awaited reunion. On Monday, March 23, 2026, at the intimate 650-capacity Gramercy Theatre in New York City, fans packed into the historic venue for the first of two (Head) First Shows, celebrating the release of his new EP, HEAD FIRST. But beyond the new music, this night carried deeper meaning. It marked Corbyn’s first time performing live since his days with Why Don’t We, making it an emotional milestone for both him and his fans.
Before the show began, it was obvious this night meant something deeper to many. Fans arrived wearing nostalgic Why Don’t We tees, while others wore the brand new merch specifically for the (Head) First Shows. Throughout the venue, fans traded friendship bracelets and caught up with one another, some reuniting for the first time since the last Why Don't We concert they had attended. It felt less like a typical concert crowd and more like a community picking up right where they left off.
The energy in the room built from the moment doors opened. Opening the night was 19-year-old New Jersey native Tanner Grigoli, who quickly won over the crowd with a mix of original songs and covers, including a One Direction and Shawn Mendes cover. He set the tone perfectly for what was about to come.
When Besson came out, the reaction was instant. With his dancers and drummer behind him, he opened with “Kiss”, the first track off his EP, HEAD FIRST, and the crowd erupted. Without missing a beat, it flowed right into “Tied Up,” the second track off the EP. The shift between the two songs was effortless, keeping the energy high and the crowd fully engaged, many already singing along word for word.
He followed with “Love Me Better,” his debut single following the end of the Why Don’t We era. The first three songs together set the tone for the entire night: confident and emotionally charged. After “Love Me Better,” Besson paused to take it all in, addressing the crowd with genuine gratitude. He thanked fans for showing up and supporting him as he stepped into this new chapter. You could tell how much it meant to him to be back.
He continued with his 2024 single “Don’t Run,” easing into the next phase of the set. He then picked the energy back up with “Panic,” a collaboration with electronic duo NOTD. The momentum carried straight into “Summer,” his upbeat collaboration with R&B artist Jeremih. During the track, the entire room seemed to come alive. Fans danced along, moving left to right in sync with Besson as they fully locked into the moment, turning the performance into a shared experience rather than just a show.
Midway through the set, Besson took a moment to spotlight the team helping bring his vision to life, introducing his two backup dancers, Khalil McNeil and Arnold Villarreal, as well as his drummer, Jarvis "Jeb" Barnes. It was a small moment, but it showed how much he values the team around him.
Keeping the momentum going, he continued the upbeat, dance-driven vibe with “No One Else,” maintaining the high energy that had defined much of the night so far. After “No One Else,” Corbyn took a moment to pause and connect with the crowd, soaking in the energy of the room. He shared how much he loves New York City, praising the “aura” of both the city and the fans in front of him. He specifically called out the crowd, thanking them for matching his energy and jumping along with him. His appreciation for everything felt genuine and unscripted, which made his first show back feel even more personal.
Keeping that connection going, he brought out his creative director, Derec, onto the stage to take a photo of Besson with the crowd, which felt like a celebration of the fans just as much as the night itself. Before moving on, Corbyn reflected on his journey, explaining how his music career began over a decade ago with nothing more than a camera and his guitar. It was a full circle moment, especially in a room filled with fans who have followed his journey from the very beginning.
From there, he physically brought that story to life, picking up his guitar and shifting into a more stripped-down, intimate portion of the set. It was during this moment that he performed a heartfelt cover of “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, drawing the audience into near silence and showcasing a more vulnerable side of the performance.
After performing “Birds of a Feather,” Corbyn Besson kept his guitar in hand as he transitioned into another track from HEAD FIRST. Before getting into the song, Besson shared that this song holds special meaning to him. It was the first track he’s ever released where he recorded all of his own vocals. He performed the song, “Hypnotized”.
Halfway through the song, he took it a step further, breaking into a guitar solo that perfectly blended into the track. It was a moment that highlighted not just his vocals, but his artistry as a musician as well. It was another reminder that this new era of his career is fully his own.
He spoke to the crowd again, reflecting on the journey that brought him to this moment before introducing the next part of the set. What followed was one of the most emotional highlights of the night. He surprised the crowd by going back to his Why Don’t We days, performing “8 Letters” and “Falling.” The intimacy of the Gramercy Theatre only amplified this moment. Fans who had grown up with these songs were suddenly transported back in time. It didn’t feel like it was just a throwback, it felt like a bridge between his past and where he is now, acknowledging where he came from while still moving forward into his solo artistry.
In the context of the night, the decision to include those songs added another layer of meaning to his performance. Rather than separating his past from his present, Besson wove them together, making it clear that this new chapter doesn’t erase what came before; instead, it builds on it.
After performing his Why Don’t We throwbacks, Corbyn wasted no time shifting the energy back to the present, jumping straight into one of his newly released singles, “Blink,” featuring Tzuyu of TWICE. The entire room came alive, with fans singing every word and jumping along in unison, fully locked back into the high energy atmosphere he had built throughout the night.
As the song came to an end, Besson took a moment to thank New York City one last time before stepping off the stage. Within seconds, the crowd erupted into chants of “Corbyn! Corbyn! Corbyn!” filling the Gramercy Theatre and refusing to let the night end there.
He returned to the stage for an encore and performed “Ruin Me,” which felt like the perfect way to end the night.
Before leaving the stage for good, Besson took one last moment to thank the crowd. He shared how much it meant to him to be back on stage again, calling it an “absolute pleasure”. He gave one last round of thanks to his dancers, his drummer, and the fans who had supported him through every era. Closing it out, he thanked New York City once more before exiting the stage, this time for good, leaving behind a room full of fans who had just witnessed not just a concert, but the beginning of a new chapter.
This show felt like being part of something bigger than just another concert. It felt like a moment where we were all celebrating Corbyn’s journey together. Seeing him own the stage, sharing both his past and present with the crowd, and connecting so genuinely made the night unforgettable.
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