FINNEAS made his long-awaited, triumphant live debut in France last night with a sold-out show at the historic Le Trianon, Paris, touring in support of For Cryin’ Out Loud! (2024), his acclaimed second album. The Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter, producer, and arranger stepped confidently into the spotlight as a true frontman.
While his talents behind the scenes were never in doubt, the real surprise of the evening was his magnetic stage presence. Armed with a warm, supple voice and a commanding yet approachable demeanor, FINNEAS proved himself a natural star. His humorous stage banter added a personal touch, endearing him further to the audience. The crowd — largely young women — responded in kind, remaining loud and passionately engaged all night long: dancing, singing, and screaming every word back at him.
The setlist blended the intimate and the epic, much like For Cryin’ Out Loud! itself, with songs that felt at once deeply personal and universally resonant. From stripped-back ballads to bombastic pop-rock anthems, FINNEAS effortlessly balanced subtlety and showmanship.
Backing him was a stellar band that elevated the performance to another level. Notably, Lucy Healy on keyboards and backing vocals added rich textures and harmonies throughout the set. Guitarist Matthew Fildey delivered dynamic riffs and textures, while bassist and musical director Aron Forbes anchored the arrangements with seasoned precision. Drummer Miles Morris and multi-instrumentalist David Marinelli rounded out the ensemble, each contributing to the show's vibrant energy.
If this performance is any indication, the future of well-crafted, intelligent pop/rock is not only secure — it’s already here.
