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No Magic 8 Ball Needed: Rachel Bochner Was a Sure Thing in Philly
From a crowd singing along to flying bras and a whole lot of chaos, Rachel Bochner brought the energy, the personality and the kind of connection that makes live music special to Philadelphia’s Kung Fu Necktie.
Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt. Photography by Rebecca McDevitt.
Philadelphia got a little louder, hotter and a whole lot more chaotic on October 21, when Rachel Bochner brought her Sorry If It’s Selfish! Tour to Kung Fu Necktie. Between the singalongs, flying bras and a questionable Magic 8 Ball prediction, the night had all the makings of a memorable show. But what made it so much fun was watching an artist who seemed to be having just as good a time as everyone in the crowd.
Kicking Off the Night With Janna Jamison
Janna Jamison opened the evening with vocals that reminded us of Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries. There was a distinctive quality to her sound that gave her a little rock princess energy, and we were absolutely here for it. Add in her heart shaped guitars, which we immediately fell in love with, and she was a fun introduction to the night ahead.
Welcome to Rachel's World
With roughly 40 to 50 people packed into Kung Fu Necktie, the atmosphere was intimate, sweaty and wonderfully chaotic. The bar's eclectic, thrifted decor set the scene, while a giant bandana style banner featuring Bochner's name and a lit clothesline full of bras gave the stage plenty of personality.
And yes, more bras would eventually make their way onto that stage.
Bochner's energy was infectious from the moment she started performing. Backed by drummer Sierra Leuschen and guitarist Rianna Kopcho, she brought a liveliness to the room that made it difficult to look away. You could watch her perform all night and still want another set. She has that kind of stage presence, the kind that makes you want to come back and see her again because you know the experience will be just as much fun.
At one point, Bochner sat on a chest, shook a Magic 8 Ball and gave a thumbs down. No explanation needed. It was silly, unexpected and completely on brand for a night that never took itself too seriously.
Then came the bras. With an entire clothesline already hanging behind her, the crowd seemed determined to contribute to the collection. It was ridiculous in the best possible way, and watching it unfold in such a tiny room only made it funnier.
The crowd brought just as much energy as Bochner herself. A few girls at the front sang and danced to every word, and their enthusiasm spread throughout the room. Everyone seemed ready to let loose, sing loudly and enjoy being there.
That sense of freedom was part of what made the show feel special. As an openly lesbian artist who shares her relationship with fans online, Bochner creates a connection that extends beyond the music. The room felt welcoming, offering LGBTQ+ fans a place to be themselves, sing their hearts out and celebrate alongside one another.
From Lovergirl to Fault Line
Bochner's 16 song setlist leaned heavily on her latest album, I Guess A Sure Thing Couldn't Go Down Gently, with Leuschen and Kopcho helping bring the new material to life. Hearing the songs with a full band gave them an extra punch, making an already exciting record feel even bigger in a room where everyone was so close to the action.
She also made room for familiar favorites. “Groupie” brought us back to her Lovergirl era, while “Your Manhattan” gave the crowd another opportunity to sing along. “Stupid!!!”, “By The Roxy” and “Say That You Don’t” were highlights from the newer material, adding to a setlist that showed off where Bochner is as an artist right now.
Closing with “Fault Line,” one of our favorite tracks from the new album and one of its most high energy songs, was the perfect choice. The crowd was singing and dancing along, and the room's energy carried right through to the final note. It was the kind of ending that left us wishing there were a few more songs on the setlist.
Why the Small Shows Matter
Kung Fu Necktie may have held only a few dozen people, but Bochner made the room feel much bigger without losing the intimacy that made the night so memorable. There were no massive production tricks needed. Just great music, a crowd ready to sing, a band bringing the songs to life and an artist who genuinely seemed to love every second of being onstage.
Between the bras, the Magic 8 Ball and the crowd singing along, there was plenty to laugh about. But underneath all that chaos was the reason we keep coming back to live music: the feeling of being in a room with an artist whose energy makes you forget about everything else for a little while.
Walking out of Kung Fu Necktie, our takeaway was simple: what an awesome show.
No Magic 8 Ball needed. Rachel Bochner was a sure thing in Philly, and we're already looking forward to seeing her again.
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