Ezra Furman is an actor

It seems that many singers, when performing live, sing songs about heartbreak or personal trials like memories. Sometimes painful, bittersweet, or charming, but with the detachment that comes with time, like scrolling through a photo gallery with your friends. Ezra Furman performs as though she’s reliving every moment, and on July 9 she brought the tightly packed audience of Amsterdam Bar and Hall St. Paul along for the ride.

Ezra’s stage presence is mesmerizingly off-putting and totally unique; like an ugly cry scene in an A24 film. Whether she’s spinning eloquent, bittersweet reminisces over some vintage rockabilly or attacking her guitar like there’s a rabbit trapped inside, Ezra never fails to surprise. For the first three songs, she barely seemed to register the audience, crashing from one side of the stage to the other; once sinking to the floor to whisper a few verses. Between songs, she drops dry jokes and off-beat stories, which never fail to get a laugh. In the hands of another performer, it would be awkwardly over-the-top, but in Ezra’s hands it feels authentic.

The blend of fury and love which she brought to Amsterdam was undeniably shaded by the current political climate. In plain terms: as a trans woman, Ezra had a lot to say. There is a latent political thread in her works which is often overlooked, and Ezra brought it to the forefront on Wednesday. Songs like “Body was made,” (about gender/body acceptance) strike a harrowing chord in 2025. In the middle of her final song, she taught the audience the seven words they need to remember if someone tries to threaten their rights, hurt the innocent, or “be a dick,” –in punk fashion, the seven words were the chorus of “Tell em all to go to hell.”

Ezra’s set was a big hit with the audience, who ranged widely in age (if not in race), from parent-accompanied tweens to middle aged couples. Perhaps aided by Amsterdam’s cozy environs, there seemed to be a genuine feeling of camaraderie by the end of the night. Waving goodbye, Ezra said, “Stay safe. I really love you all.” It was clear that the feeling was mutual.

Show Review: Ethan Barber 
Photos: Abbey Pearson