I love it when an opener and headliner just make sense together. That was exactly the case with Jake Minch and Grace Enger at their sold-out show at Cafe Du Nord on February 19th. With his soft-spoken demeanor, nervous giggles, and heartfelt storytelling, Minch perfectly balanced Enger’s extroverted charm and humble wit. From being a guest performer at some of Enger’s past shows to now touring alongside her, Minch is one of Enger’s ‘favorite people,’ and throughout the night, it was clear why. Both of them had a warm presence that amplified the intimacy of the already cozy 320-capacity venue.
As the opener, Minch radiated sincerity, smiling constantly and introducing each song with intention. He carefully articulated what the lyrics meant to him now versus when he originally wrote them—no facade, no filter, just a glimpse into his thoughts in real time. That honesty became especially evident when he played an unreleased song, “changed things,” about his evolving relationship with his younger sister. You could see him reliving those emotions as he sang, his voice carrying the weight of their shared memories.
Everything about his performance felt authentic. He even shared a hilarious anecdote about deleting Strava, the running tracker app, after it led him to trespass on private property in San Francisco earlier that day. His set embodied what you love about an indie folk singer-songwriter, the ability to connect on multiple levels, bringing to mind past relationships, family dynamics, and even moments of personal change, like his recent decision to quit smoking. It was no surprise to see fans emotionally singing along to favorites like “handgun” as well as newer releases like “jessie” and “just be your friend.”
Grace Enger’s stage presence was electric, and her fans were fully locked in. The crowd wasn’t just swaying and mouthing the lyrics; they were jumping, screaming, and completely matching her energy. They knew every word, even to some unreleased songs. One of the most memorable moments of her set was a fan-organized project during “A Year From Now,” where the audience held up paper butterflies, a thoughtful gesture that captured the song’s hopeful spirit. Enger, clearly touched, made sure to collect every single one before leaving the stage.
Her set design was equally intentional—trees, candles, and a piano, mirroring the aesthetic of her recent EP The Alchemist. When introducing her band, she mentioned that she had known her guitarist, Andrew, since she was two years old, while her drummer, Sierra (shoutout to female drummers!), was a more recent addition. It was Sierra’s birthday, so the crowd sang Happy Birthday to her in unison.
Enger’s setlist was beautifully curated, with each song introduced by a personal story or a witty remark. Her song “20” resonated with me as she opened up about when she was scared of turning 20—something I know all too well. But she tackled it with grace (no pun intended), turning that anxiety into a sense of opportunity that felt much more reassuring. And when she performed my favorite song, “It’s No Fun,” I was beyond excited to finally belt it out alongside a crowd of people who just get it.
Just like Minch, Enger exuded gratitude, even taking the time to respond to my Instagram story with a heartfelt “Thanks for coming!” That kind of personal connection with fans goes a long way, and I can’t wait to see her keep being a diva and rocking out in bigger venues.
Review and photography by Izzy Hory
