In our Take Two series, Playlists & Polaroids checks back in with our past Spotlight features after a few months. If our original coverage on Em Beihold inspired you to start following her career, you'd know it's been quite the journey for her! Last year, we asked her our burning questions about fan-favorite tracks "Egg In The Backseat" and "Roller Coasters Make Me Sad," the latter of which had just come out. Fast-forward to now, she just wrapped her first-ever headlining tour!
Since gaining traction with her breakout radio hit "Numb Little Bug," Em Beihold has established herself as a relatable mental health advocate. In her music, she's continued to follow themes of anxiety and coping, while maintaining a bright and upbeat sound. She's still telling her story through song in a candid, vivid manner, and she's sticking to her signature whimsical imagery.
Despite her self-described "oversharing" of her struggles, Em has established optimism as a central theme of the Maybe Life Is Good tour. The singer acknowledged how far she'd come in her career, and she inspired the crowd at the El Rey Theatre to bask in the current moment. Just like her songwriting, Em's stage presence balanced her infectious, carefree energy with her unmatched vulnerability.
Image & graphic design credit: Karly Ramnani
The tour derives its name from Em's February 2024 single, "Maybe Life Is Good," which points out silver linings and the light at the end of the tunnel. This track appeared in the middle of the setlist, sandwiched between resonant bangers that got fans on their feet.
While on the road, Em likes to make crafts to pass time, a creative journey that she documents on her second Instagram account, @craftiesbyem. "It’s something that keeps my hands busy and keeps my mental health popping. On tour, that might be my little van activity," she told Playlists & Polaroids.
Em identifies embroidery as her strength, even gifting her tour manager with a hand-embroidered piece, but she's been trying to expand her horizons. "I’ve also recently picked up knitting, but it’s really hard. I’ve tried crocheting too - anything with strings, I’ve probably tried it. Something I want to do is make a vintage charm necklace, but I don’t know where to find the stuff [to make it],” she shares. As a singer, songwriter, and visual artist, she counts as a triple threat, right?
All pictures in the gallery above were taken by Karly Ramnani.
Before the milestone of a headlining tour, Em opened for the likes of Lewis Capaldi, King Princess, and the Jonas Brothers. She also collaborated with GAYLE and Lauren Spencer Smith on the powerful track "Fantasy" last summer. At her sentimental hometown show in Los Angeles, Em acknowledged her family, childhood music teacher, and therapist in the crowd - but not before reflecting on her beginnings as a hopeful singing competition show contestant.
Em radiates comfort and positivity in her concerts, cultivating a safe space and showing fans that maybe life is good! This inspirational rising star has grown immensely since the last time we got to catch up with her, and we couldn't be more proud. If you're not already an Em Beihold fan - first of all, do you live under a rock? Second, here's a playlist we've curated so you can get to know her music better!
YOU'LL LOVE EM BEIHOLD IF YOU LISTEN TO: Julia Michaels, Jonas Brothers, Eva Westphal, Emei, Leanna Firestone, Stephen Sanchez, Lauren Spencer Smith, GAYLE, Conan Gray, AJR
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