The fans were already there.

By 1pm, the line outside Brooklyn Bowl began to form. First one fan, then another.

And another.

Mercer Henderson, a 22-year-old singer/songwriter who just graduated from the Clive Davis Institute at NYU Tisch, has been building a following since her freshman year of college. Hailing from San Francisco, Henderson has been making music since she was young, but began to take it far more seriously once she arrived in New York. Releasing singles, followed by an EP in 2024, Not Really Strangers, Henderson has been continuing her musical expansion. In 2025, she had addictive singles “Almost, So Close, Maybe,” “Goner,” and “Ruin Me,” leading to shows at Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right as part of her Don’t Be A Stranger Tour and an opening spot on Isabel LaRosa’s Psychopomp Tour. Through TikTok and social media, Henderson’s following grew. Her fans aren’t just enthusiastic; they are devoted disciples, fully enthralled with every piece Henderson creates. Her fans have made her custom merchandise, such as shirts and friendship bracelets, and a super amazing customized baseball jersey. They run social media accounts dedicated to Henderson, such as Mercer Henderson HQ. They arrive at Henderson’s shows hours early so as to be as close as possible to their hero. They love Henderson, and Henderson, always staying after shows to chat, sign autographs, and take selfies, gives that love right back.

This reciprocal relationship was on display as Henderson bounced out from backstage and into a packed crowd wildly cheering, despite her 10pm set time. Henderson initially stood at the mic, and her warm vocals filled the room. After a few lines, Henderson stepped back, grabbed the mic, and stalking the stage from one end to the other, giving movement and body to the infectious melodies, hooks, and anchoring drumbeat.

Henderson is a captivating performer, making every audience member feel welcome. She kneels, singing to each fan on eye level, often holding their hands. She loves to spontaneously grab her fans’ cellphones to their utter elation, taking videos of herself singing. Henderson gives her full self when performing, skipping across the stage, jumping up and down during bangers, exhorting the audience to sing as loud as possible. And that’s no issue for her fans: every line, every lyric, was sung and screamed. Henderson’s 2025 hits garnered the most excitement, but deeper cuts were also a treat. Ending with the anthemic “Ruin Me,” the crowd, louder than they had ever been before, were encouraged to jump by Henderson, leading to the night’s thrilling apex. An hour-long set proved far too short, but Henderson will be back in the fall, opening for the incredible Maddie Zahm. Dates are included below.

Everyone has a place at a Henderson show; it’s all about community and belonging, and that’s why it feels like home. Henderson herself was so thankful for a fan-made shirt that she wore it at the end, later taking pictures with the shirt’s creator, two grinning faces that display the fan’s work.

Henderson is a force to be reckoned with, a woman on a rapidly uphill trajectory. The future is more than bright; it’s glowing like a sunrise on summer day.

Check out photos from Brooklyn Bowl and tour dates below!