Olivia Rodrigo made a surprise appearance at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Sunday night to perform at its long-running open mic, per nme.com.
The former Glastonbury headliner delivered a stripped-back version of her latest single, “Drop Dead,” to an intimate crowd of unsuspecting attendees and local musicians.
The unannounced set on April 26 saw Rodrigo join the stage at a venue renowned for hosting early-career performances by artists such as Norah Jones and Sufjan Stevens. Local artist Industry Monk, who performed the same evening, expressed his shock on social media, noting he was unaware he was “opening for Olivia Rodrigo.”
The performance is part of a series of low-key promotional events preceding the release of her third studio album, “You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love, scheduled for June 12 via Geffen Records. The new track, “Drop Dead,” includes lyrical references to The Cure, following Rodrigo’s high-profile collaboration with Robert Smith during her 2025 Glastonbury headline set.
This Brooklyn appearance follows a similarly intimate, invite-only show at The Echo in Los Angeles on April 25. During that event, Rodrigo debuted a new collaboration with Weyes Blood. The singer recently told British Vogue that her upcoming record is her “most experimental” work to date, drawing heavy inspiration from time spent living and writing in London.
Rodrigo’s transition from stadium-level performances back to grassroots venues highlights a growing trend of “underground” marketing for major pop releases. By returning to small-scale stages, the artist appears to be leaning into the “indie-rock” aesthetic described in early reviews of her new material.
•Featured image: Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury 2025/Andy Ford for NME
