The Apple Tree Under the Sea: Hemlocke Springs in Seattle
Hemlocke Springs turned The Showbox into a technicolor fairytale, a night where her alt‑pop universe felt fully alive, fully inhabited, and fully adored. The North Carolina–born singer‑producer, known offstage as Isimeme “Naomi” Udu, has always blurred the line between character and creator, building a world where hyperpop, bedroom pop, and theatrical storytelling collide. Since her breakout viral hit “girlfriend” in 2022, she’s leaned deeper into persona‑driven songwriting, culminating in her debut album The Apple Tree Under the Sea and the whimsical lore that surrounds it. Seattle’s stop on her nearly sold‑out 2026 tour proved just how fully fans have embraced that world.
The Showbox was packed with dedicated fans of Hemlocke Springs. The talented singer has been picking up a lot of steam in her debut, and we were thrilled to catch her live. It was great to see so many audience members dressed up on theme for the night. Set by Springs herself, Seattle was part of the “Sea of 1000 Colors,” paired by photos to get inspired by. Her tour for The Apple Tree Under the Sea was about a week in before continuing on until July and then opening for MUNA September and October.
The stage looked like a storybook cracked open: a sparkly prom‑photo backdrop, a skeleton seated casually on a chair to the left, and to the right a treasure chest beside a table and a whimsical clock that felt plucked straight from an Alice in Wonderland dreamscape. Two oversized heads rested on the floor, the apple and the Girl! Head, both versions of Springs herself, two personas in the alt‑universe she’s created. Two band members took the stage first as a narrator’s voice began weaving the night’s storyline, and when Springs finally appeared, the room erupted.
She opened with “The Red Apple,” immediately pulling the crowd into her world. Before “Stranger Danger!” started, the room fell silent for a moment until someone shouted, “Zendaya doesn’t have anything on you.” Springs sang the first word and couldn’t help but smile at the compliment. People were so into this show, singing all the words, dressed up, and embracing the space that welcomed them. The narrator continued throughout the night, guiding the audience like a fairytale storyteller, shaping the show into a narrative journey we all followed along with.
The surprise of the night came when Springs covered Depeche Mode’s “Fools,” a choice that fit seamlessly into her set’s emotional palette. Afterward, she knelt beside the treasure chest, pulled something out, and blew bubbles into the crowd before grabbing a whisk and slipping on an apron for “w‑w‑w‑w‑w,” shifting personas once again. She closed the main set with “enknee1” and her viral hit “girlfriend,” sending the room into full‑volume sing‑along mode. As she took her bow, the narrator announced, “This is the end of the program,” but Springs turned back to the crowd and asked, “I have to go find something backstage, will you be here?”
She dashed offstage and returned wearing a pirate hat and wielding a sword, launching into the encore with “Sever the Blight!” to the delight of fans. The night ended with “Be the Girl!” a fitting finale that wrapped the entire universe she’s built into one joyful, fast‑moving burst of color.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to a show with such excited fans, and it was delightful to see the energy projected in the room. Springs finished the night with a magical twist, sending us off to write our own story in life as she has written hers. Fairytale or reality? only you can tell what happened tonight.
