Mercer Henderson brought an electric and intimate sold-out performance to Berklee’s Cafe 939 for the final stop of the ‘Don’t Be a Stranger’ tour.
Fans showed up in their best bows and flowy skirts, many donning handmade merch. Henderson herself ascended the stage wearing a fan-made Red-Sox-esque jersey reading “DBAS Tour” on the front and her last name on the back.
Henderson’s raw, unfiltered vocals echoed throughout the room, only just louder than her enthusiastic audience. After performing a few songs, Henderson gazed at the crowd before her in pure adoration, telling them, “You guys are just so, so, so special to me. I cannot thank you enough for showing up.”
Henderson’s discography ranged from slow and moody to angsty and loud. Regarding her songwriting process, she told her audience, “I was like, ‘No, I swear I can write a love song. I’m not sad; it’s so fine.’ The crowd giggled and cheered in response. Henderson chuckled, “I’m like, glad you guys relate, but also a little like, ‘Oh, my God, are we okay…?’”
Before performing “Just an Accident” from her debut album “Not Really Strangers” (2024), she confessed, “I’ve realized after writing music that I’ve never had an original thought or experience, ever. But it’s so great because, look at us all, we’re all here together.”
Some time later, Henderson requested, “This is my favorite song I’ve ever written, and I would love to see your phone lights out for this one.” More than their lights, the audience surprised her with a fan project. Against their phone lights, they held up heart-shaped cutouts reading “Boston Loves You ‘A Little Too Much.’” Henderson beamed as she strummed her guitar, the project seemingly fueling her passion during the song.
“This next one I started teasing a week ago,” Henderson told the crowd at the end of the show, to which they responded with shrieks and applause. “Your videos, guys…” she gushed, “I don’t think you understand how much my screen time has gone up since you guys started making videos to it… You guys are the best, and I truly cannot thank you enough for your support.” Her most recent single, “Ruin Me,” certainly made a splash on TikTok, especially amongst longtime fans.
As the show came to a close, Henderson pointed out that there would be QR codes around the merch stand for those who had the means to donate to the California Wildfire relief funds. After the show, Henderson stood by the merch stand, greeting each and every fan in the sold-out venue, signing their merchandise, taking pictures, and chatting.
Although the “Don’t Be a Stranger” Tour has come to an end, fans are eager to see Henderson’s next move. Follow along with Mercer Henderson on Instagram @mercer.henderson
TEDx speaker at age 16, freelance photojournalist since age 17, and current undergraduate student at Boston University’s College of Communication studying journalism and public relations with a minor in costume design, Hannah Sender is incapable of living without multiple projects to focus on. As part of her freelance endeavors, she has developed strong working relationships directly with artists and management in the music industry, as well as with brands and designers in the fashion industry, including being hired to photograph at New York Fashion Week in 2024. In addition to freelancing and academics, she is a public relations intern at 44 Communications, acquiring experience in the music festival scene and working directly with press at high-profile events, such as the Boston Calling Music Festival. Originally from New York City, Sender grew up just outside of Boston, Mass. A TV show and movie enthusiast, singer, designer, exclusively secondhand shopper, and aspiring creative director, she enjoys going to concerts and flea markets and watching movies in her limited free time.