Michelle Zauner brought her band, Japanese Breakfast, back to where it all began, writes Dan DeLuca for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Bryn Mawr College alum played two shows at The Met Philadelphia last week, bringing the new album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) to life.
Zauner’s rise has been remarkable. In 2021, she broke through with the Grammy-nominated Jubilee and her bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart. Now she’s embracing a more introspective, artistic path. Instead of chasing hits, the new album dives into Gothic literature and emotional nuance, delivered with theatrical flair—she opened the show seated in a giant scallop shell.
The setlist blended new material with fan favorites like “Paprika,” complete with her signature gong, and even included a live debut of Air’s “Playground Love.” The band—featuring her husband Peter Bradley and Philly’s Craig Hendrix—brought lush textures to the stage, backed by moody lighting and layered instrumentation.
Zauner called Philly the city that “made her hard,” reflecting on her early days working coat check at Union Transfer—now humorously named after her. Thursday’s performance marked a full-circle moment for a local artist who made it big.
To learn more about Michelle Zauner and her journey with Japanese Breakfast, read the Philadelphia Inquirer.
