This past Sunday, on April 26, synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay delivered a captivating performance at Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia as part of their Imaginal Mystery Tour. The sold-out show led the audience through the journey of their latest album, “Imaginal Disk,” which has risen to critical acclaim since its release in August 2024.
“Imaginal Disk” has ranked in the top 50 albums of 2024 according to multiple sources, including Pitchfork and Stereogum. The record peaked on Billboard’s US Top Current Album Sales at 17. The record is a concept album, following a consistent theme and storyline from beginning to end. Focusing on communicating a specific message through the journey of a character allows the album to feel cohesive and well-curated. In the age of streaming, this approach to album writing encourages listeners to be invested in an entire record rather than picking out individual tracks to listen to as standalone songs.
The duo of lead vocalist Mica Tenenbaum and guitarist Matthew Lewin are known for blending retro and futuristic elements to create a unique sound in the genre of synth pop. Impressively, Tenebaum and Lewin wrote and produced the album in its entirety.
Their ability to create complex narratives through music is evident—their most recent album takes listeners along the journey of the character True, a digital consciousness seeking to understand emotions, love and morality. Throughout the show, Tenenbaum embodies True’s identity as she embarks on a path to self-discovery.
Opening for Magdelena Bay was Detroit native Sam Austins, an R&B and synth-pop artist known for his blend of genres, featured in his hit song “Seasons.” Austins hyped up the crowd with his dance moves and charismatic stage presence. His performance set the tone for the evening, seamlessly leading into the main act.
As Magdalena Bay took the stage, it was clear the crowd was about to go on a magical journey of music. The stage was set with sci-fi aesthetic props, including a “mirror” that acted as a metaphor for self-reflection and a backdrop consisting of the album artwork. The setlist featured tracks like “Death & Romance,” “Image” and fan-favorite “Chaeri” during which Tenenbaum jumped into the crowd.
Throughout the show, there were four costume changes, as the character True began to question her identity and ultimately discover her true self. The most notable performance of the night was their performance of “That’s My Floor,” an anthem that got the crowd pumping with guitar and piano solos from the duo. By the end, True became an angel through their hit “Angel on a Satellite,” a beautiful ballad which captivated the audience. Magdalena Bay ended the show with “The Beginning,” the final track from their debut album “Mercurial World.”
This show in Philadelphia was part of a broader North American and European tour celebrating their latest album, “Imaginal Disk.” They are returning to Philadelphia this July as part of a festival at FDR Park for the Make The World Better Foundation, alongside artists Lucy Dacus and Remi Wolf. Magdalena Bay has also been recently announced as supporting acts for both Halsey and Billie Eilish later this year, solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting acts to watch in the coming years.