Hannah Bahng Mesmerizes D.C.
- Sarah Peter
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
NOV 23 2025
By Sarah "Miya" Peter
Earlier this month, Australian singer-songwriter Hannah Bahng brought her “The Misunderstood” World Tour to the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., delivering an intimate and electrifying performance. The 21-year-old musician, recognized by Rolling Stone and Teen Vogue for her introspective songwriting and versatile sound, has quickly established herself as one of alt-pop’s most distinct rising artists. The show’s energy steadily built from the beginning, thanks to an opening set by Frances Anderson, whose genuine excitement and charm set the tone for the evening.
On her first-ever tour, Anderson delivered a short but vibrant set that showcased both her musical talent and her warm, engaging personality. Best known for her childhood role as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on Modern Family, Anderson has since transitioned from acting to music, reintroducing herself to audiences under her new artist alias. Now carving her own path as an indie pop singer-songwriter, she has released her debut EP, Drown, along with singles like “Don’t Forget Me” and the fan favorite, “Telephones and Traffic.” Throughout her set, she tuned and played her own guitar, performing with genuine excitement about being part of the tour. During a short transition between songs, she reflected on how music has become her creative outlet, a moment that resonated with her growing fanbase. After wrapping up her set, she stayed behind at the merch booth, greeting fans and taking photos with everyone who stopped by.
The atmosphere in the theatre shifted once more as the lights dimmed and Bahng’s band launched into a pulsing intro. Her drummer, Puma, and guitarist, Liam Fennell, perched on layered platforms, as the glowing neon sign of her icon, Zymmie, hung overhead. Drenched in moody purple and blue lights, Bahng made her entrance center stage and immediately dove into “what never lived,” a popular track from her newest EP, The Misunderstood. The song highlights Bahng’s alt-pop, indie rock style, and piano-driven melodies.
Within moments, she had the audience on their feet as she moved across the stage with infectious energy, even trading guitar riffs with her guitarist throughout the song. Bahng’s set flowed effortlessly between her newest material and older fan favorites, such as “OLeander” and “tonight’s the night I die to a frank ocean song,” skillfully combining soulful, silky vocals with driving beats. For “Vertigo,” she moved behind her keyboard to perform, completely mesmerizing the crowd, and fans waved their arms in unison during the climactic ending of “Abysmal.”
One of the gentler moments of the evening came during an acoustic duet of “RIBS,” performed center stage under glowing spotlights, with her guitarist accompanying her for the track. Later, Bahng invited a fan from the crowd to join her on stage while gifts were passed forward from the audience – a plush toy, fan-made trinkets, and a knitted Adventure Time hat that she happily wore for a few songs. Together, Bahng and the fan shared a short conversation and a playful mini dance moment, complete with upbeat runway music and hype from the crowd.
Her setlist featured some surprises, including a gritty rock rendition of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” a cover of Billie Eilish’s “WILDFLOWER,” and an unreleased track from behind the keyboard, showcasing her musical versatility – something that has defined her journey since her early YouTube days in 2021, when she first began sharing stripped-down covers and vlogs. Between songs, Bahng interacted with the crowd, her gratitude shining through. “I’m so, so grateful that you guys are willing to come see little ol’ me,” she said with a smile.
“ The only thing I really love doing is performing, so any excuse to come here and do that is a good one! ”
As the night came to a close, Bahng requested group photos with the audience and finished with a powerful performance of “MISUNDERSTOOD.” The theatre pulsed with energy as fans shouted every lyric along with her. When chants for an encore filled the room, she returned for one final track: an emotional rendition of “perfect blues,” wrapping up the evening on a deeply personal note.
Bahng’s performance at the Lincoln Theatre wasn’t just a stop on her world tour; it reflected her evolution from a self-taught musician sharing songs online to a confident, genre-blending performer commanding the stage on her own terms. Her Misunderstood World Tour continues across North America through December.