liamg516 In New York City’s Lower East Side, Irving Plaza set the scene for a gentle night of music. Mon Rovîa, a Tennessee based artist, known for his intriguing blend of West African music with Appalachian folk, took the stage on November 18, 2025 to a sold out crowd. In recent years, he has become known for reinventing folk for a new generation along with carrying the long tradition of protest songs for that new generation to consume on social media.
Bella Kay
The night kicked off with up and coming musician Bella Kay. Kay has gained traction in recent months with her acoustic song “The Sick,” which currently has over 63,000+ posts using her audio. Taking the stage with her friend and guitarist, Nathan, under dim blue light, Bella Kay was able to soothe a quiet crowd. It was a crowd filled with curiosity as they processed every melody and lyric that came out of her.
A personal favorite moment was when she covered Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.” The slow tempo to the vibrant, pop anthem showcased her ability to reinvent a piece of music and make it her own. A crowd favorite had to be her song, “Your New Girlfriend” and “God Knows,” which was the first song she wrote for her EP, “sick to my stomach.” The 30 minute set was an incredible introduction for what was to come.
Photos by Liam Gillin. All images © 2025 Copyright Liam Gillin ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Mon Rovîa
Mon Rovîa and his band took the stage and opened the set with the song “Jester in The Bowl.” That same quiet crowd from Bella Kay was completely in awe now that Mon Rovîa was on the stage. A mother and her young son were at the barricade holding each other. A couple right next to them were swaying in unison. The crowd’s gaze was strong and it was clear that the silence in the room was like no other. It was a moment of taking it all in for everyone in the room. A moment of appreciating the music we were all listening to.
One moment that stood out significantly was when he paused to tell us about one of the songs he was going to perform. It was a song about losing a young friend too soon. He took us through the journey, the emotions, and the overwhelming experience of losing someone earlier than expected. “Damn These Forces” was the song that captivated the feelings of grief and a beautiful tribute to loss and love.
The night carried on with songs like “Big Love” and City on a Hill,” before ending off the night with “Heavy Foot.” Mon Rovîa’s gentle and safe set was a showcase of vulnerability and the beauty of just pausing, listening, and taking everything in. Whether you are listening to music on your headphones or listening at a concert, that is what music is all about and Mon Rovîa was able to execute that perfectly.
Photos by Liam Gillin. All images © 2025 Copyright Liam Gillin ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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