SNAIL MAIL
Snail Mail, The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA 4/16/2026
At the Fillmore, Snail Mail returned to Philadelphia for her “Ricochet Tour”, spanning from April through May for the American leg of the tour. Joining Snail Mail on tour are the Chicago-natives, Sharp Pins, and the band from Boston, The Swirlies.
Although the crowd was sparse, Sharp Pins opened the show with high-energy indie rock. This band is led by Kai Slater on vocals, who brought an undeniable stage presence that captivated the audience. The crowd was singing along, jumping around, and having as good a time as the band on stage. Though they’re a Chicago-based band heavily involved with the DIY scene, if you see the Sharp Pins performing near you, go! As for The Swirlies, they offered a very traditional shoegaze sound with a touch of heavy synth. They originally formed in 1990 and have been considered a cult classic as a highly respected band in the indie world. Their sound was less composed and more experimental-sounding than many in the crowd expected. The vibe that Sharp Pins set was completely changed through The Swirlies performance. If you enjoy shoegazey or electric music, The Swirlies could be your next favorite band.
Snail Mail, a project started by Lindsey Jordan, began as a DIY project and has since morphed into a well-known indie rocker. After signing to Matador Records, ‘Lush’ (2018) marked a shift in her music toward emotional vulnerability, strong lyricism, and a greater emphasis on her amazing guitar skills. She then released ‘Valentine’ (2021), which explored themes of identity, vulnerability, and relationships, earning her a prestigious Pitchfork rating of 8.5. After taking a couple of years off due to health issues, Snail Mail had a highly anticipated return. Her third studio album, ‘Ricochet’ (2026), has a different feel, as it is centered on themes of losing loved ones, grief, and the passage of time.
As Lindsey Jordan and the rest of the Snail Mail Band stepped on a stage with a small house and a white picket fence, the crowd was not sure what was about to unfold in front of them. Jordan opened the show with a guitar rip from ‘Tractor Beam’ that turned heads and began her descent to command the stage in Philadelphia. In the crowd, everyone was dancing, and she had their undivided attention. The set was colorful with lights and the stage setup also made the show feel like an ode to her roots in Maryland. Her vocal range and traditional rock sound in her voice was nothing less than mesmerizing. The majority of the songs came from her ‘Ricochet’ (2026) released in late March. However, there was a good variety of songs from each of her studio albums. She seems like the happiest person to be back in Philadelphia by saying, “Thank you for gracing us with your presence, thank you for still listening to our music, and thank you, Philadelphia for gracing us with the coolest fanbase I could ask for!” The energy in the room turned electric, her and her rhythm guitarist feeding off of each other, jumping around the stage and truly putting on a show. Eventually, as the set came to an end, Snail Mail finished the encore with two of her more popular songs, ‘Thinning’ and ‘Pristine’. After putting on a genuinely emotional but powerful set, when Snail Mail comes to town, it is something you do not want to miss!
Shot and Written by Sarah Bruno
