Hemlocke Springs Turns Music Box into a Fairy Garden Pop Party

Hemlocke Springs brought the beautiful apple tree under the sea tour to the Music Box in San Diego last Saturday, May 16th, 2026, transforming the room into a fairy garden of pop magic and joy for the night.

Hemlocke Springs is the musical project of artist Isimeme “Naomi” Udu. She first gained popularity with her song Girlfriend, which she produced herself, and experienced another rise this past year as an opener on tour with Conan Gray. She was even mentioned by Chappell Roan herself as one of her favorite new artists. She went on to open for Chappell’s small pop up tour last fall, shows with some of the biggest headline show crowds of the year. Her newest album, the apple tree under the sea, was released in February of this year, a beautiful feat of world building and synth pop genius.

When it was time for the opener, Hemlocke walked on stage in a glittery pirate hat and a witchy dress to tell us her opener had sprained their ankle, and instead she was going to tell us a story. With a binder in hand full of printed out characters on popsicle sticks, she took the crowd through a beautiful and hilarious fairytale story, complete with ooo’s and aaahh’s, and laughs and cheers from the crowd. The audience was so engaged, she made the room feel small, intimate and connected before even starting her own show. It was such a fun and unique way to open the night.

The stage was set with funky decor like a giant abstract paper mache head, a skeleton on a chair, swirly clocks and a mysterious chest between the keyboardist and the drummer. Hemlocke Springs walked on stage wearing a gorgeous garden inspired outfit, a green corset and a yellow satin like bouncy skirt. The ensemble was peppered with flowers and leaves, with shimmering vines hanging from her wrists. The set begins with the opening song on her newest album, the red apple. The song slowly builds with dramatic backing gongs, as she sings in a way reminiscent of a witch chanting or casting a spell. It’s enamoring and draws the audience in immediately. The energy of the set shifted to her unique pop sound, with songs like head, shoulders, knees and ankles, and the beginning of the end. The crowd was jumping and singing along like they’d waited so long to hear these songs live. Her fans also showed out for her designated garden theme of the night, sporting flower shaped hats and vines on their outfits skin to the one’s Hemlocke was wearing onstage. Throughout the set, she pulled out props from the mysterious chest, including a whisk and an apron for the song w-w-w-w-w and by the end of the set it was a bedazzled sword, the hilt covered in pink bows.

The magical night ended with her beautiful album closer, be the girl!, about growth and moving forward, an emotional release the crowd all shared as Hemlocke pranced joyfully on stage. She sang while blowing bubbles into the crowd with bubble guns. She put on the most fun, colorful show with gorgeous stage presence and dancing like no one’s watching. She’s continuing her headline tour and will be opening for MUNA later this fall!