Review by Sophia
Captures by Steve Cerf @stevecerf
It was a sold-out performance at The Foundry in Philadelphia, packed with fans there to celebrate the release of Finn Wolfhard’s freshman solo album, Happy Birthday. The night felt tight, loud, and personal — the perfect setting to see him step out on his own.
I always hang by the pit before a show, chatting with fans. It’s part of what I love most about concert photojournalism. Usually, it’s fun talking about favorite songs and how long they’ve been waiting in line. But nothing has ever stayed with me the way meeting Sophia did.
Sophia is a 15-year-old who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.
Her mom told me, “She went through some very difficult surgeries in recent years, and she says that listening to Finn’s music got her through those very tough times. She has been a fan of his music for several years, including his music with his former bands, Calpurnia and The Aubreys. Sophia has shared her love of Finn’s music at home, including with her twin sister and Mom and Dad. We are all fans now.”
“When Finn put out his solo album and announced some tour dates, we started hoping that would open up an opportunity for us to see him live. It took a lot of patience, but we finally got to see him! As you can imagine, it was a very big deal, especially for Sophia. This was her first concert and the first concert for her twin sister.”
So, instead of my review, I’m handing it over to Sophia — the biggest Finn Wolfhard fan in the world!
“My favorite song was probably ‘Everytown There’s a Darling’ because Finn and the band mixed it up from the album. It was really fun to see live.”
“It was a fantastic experience to see Finn perform live. I really enjoyed the show and how great the band sounded.”
“I was also impressed by The Slaps and the show they put on. They made me a fan.”
“I got to see a great show with a lot of people who are also passionate about Finn’s music.”
“My favorite part of the night was getting to see Finn do what he loves with other people who also love his album.”
“I feel lucky that I got to see Finn perform live. I’m proud of the show and proud of his music career. You can see his passion.”
Thank you, Sophia. I hope to meet up with you again for Finn’s sophomore album.
Your true passion for Finn and his music is something my review couldn’t remotely come close to. By far, the best review I’ve ever posted.
Sophia’s words say it all.
