On Wednesday night, singer/songwriter Alan Vuong brought his alternative R&B vibes to Mercury Lounge for his first performance in New York City. The 22-year-old independent artist from Southern California and has grown his audience through his unique synth-psychedelic style. His smooth vocals over dreamy atmospheric beats are reminiscent of artists like Brent Faiyaz, Joji, and Steve Lacy. His track DEEP IN YOUR SOUL gained attention on TikTok in 2025 for its catchy chorus and the relatability of the push-pull in a relationship. Artists and listeners, myself included, have mixed emotions about the relationship between TikTok and music, and how virality has ultimately influenced the space. Artists can be viewed as making TikTok music, but Alan Vuong just happens to be an musician whose song got popular on the viral app. His artistry transcends the stereotype of TikToK type music and I’m grateful that the app introduced me to his art. Mercury Lounge in the Lower East Side is an intimate venue perfectly suited to the chill vibes that both Alan Vuong and openers Keanu Richal and Isaiah Kaleo brought on this June night. The space was filled with a diverse audience, from a few younger kids to college students to older adults. Richal’s tracks were mostly dark R&B, getting the crowd in their feels, while Kaleo had some more upbeat tracks, getting the room to sing and dance right along with them. 
Vuong entered and was greeted with immediate cheers from the crowd, who pushed forward towards the stage as the lights went black. His vocals translated incredibly well to a live performance, and I couldn’t help but nod my head to the bass-heavy beats and airy falsetto notes. A few songs in he told the crowd that he’d been struggling with vocal strain and had to pause briefly, which garnered even more respect, support, and engagement from the audience. Intimate spaces like Mercury Lounge are unique because these types of moments are special, where fans and artists can connect with one another on a human level. After hydrating, Vuong carried on playing his hits like TOO LATE FOR YOU and TELL ‘EM YOU’RE MINE. I was able to grab a few portraits with Vuong before the set; I’d describe him as quirky, funny, and honestly a little shy, but he truly came alive on stage, working the crowd, showing his vulnerability through soft vocals, and with his quick-witted humour. He had won over the crowd immediately with his artistry and kind demeanour.
When it came time for his hit track DEEP IN YOUR SOUL, the crowd collectively went silent, excited to hear one of their favourites live. Vuong didn’t disappoint with smooth vocals over the synth-heavy beat. From the front row to the back of the venue, everyone was impressed by how catchy and cinematic the moment felt. Vuong closed by thanking the crowd and saying that he would be available with his merch for pictures, conversations, and to meet everyone. Not only does his artistic talent draw in his fan base, but also his openness and compassionate nature. I’m sure this was just the first performance of many to come in NYC for Alan Vuong. You can hear more from him on his new EP titled HEAVEN SENT ME that was just released today (June 26th). Make sure to catch the singer play live on September 9th in San Francisco for his next scheduled live appearance but for the fans that will be missing out you can still experience the magic with our exclusive photo gallery just below featuring performance images as well as some pre-show portraits in NYC.
Article & Photos By Alycia Gimler (@byalyciagimler)
