Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: Lily Vakili. Photo Credit: Bill Heuberger.
Lily Vakili Channels Raw, Live Energy for Philadelphia Stop
By: Keith Loria
In his latest feature for Arts News Now, Keith Loria interviews Lily Vakili on the heels of a new release, she’s headed to Nikki Lopez Philly on May 20, waiting to capture a moment.
The Montclair, NJ-based artist, who made waves with her 2025 album “Oceans of Kansas,” is hitting the road again with a renewed focus on the immediacy of live performance. Her upcoming stop at Nikki Lopez reflects that ethos, offering fans a set that’s as fluid and reactive as the crowd in front of her.
“I have a set list, but that’s just a guide,” Vakili said. “What I like to do is really think about who I’m performing for and where.”
That adaptability has become central to her shows, especially as she continues to tour behind “Oceans of Kansas” while introducing new material from her forthcoming “Live Wire” EP, due out May 8.
Philadelphia holds a personal and creative resonance for Vakili. While she’s performed in the city before, each visit carries added meaning.
“One of my dearest friends lives in Philadelphia,” she said. “So I have that connection and it’s been really a welcoming place for me as a creative artist.”
Beyond friendships, the city’s character also fuels her inspiration. Its history, complexity and artistic depth align with her own layered songwriting style.
“I love walking around Philadelphia, it’s a remarkably resilient city,” she said, noting its museums—especially the Barnes—as places she’s returned to over time.
That sense of place feeds into her performances, where storytelling often takes center stage. Vakili’s latest creative chapter is rooted in a deliberate shift: recording music the “old-fashioned way.” After touring extensively, she felt compelled to bottle the chemistry she shares with her band in a live setting.
“What I do best is perform for an audience live with the band,” she said. “That is one type of creative expression and I wanted to capture that in the studio.”
Working once again with Grammy-winning producer Reed Turchi, she recorded “Live Wire” at Second Take Sound in New York City, emphasizing full-band takes over piecemeal studio production. The result is a raw, immediate sound that mirrors her concerts.
“It’s feeling so good. I was like, ‘We’re doing some great stuff. Why not capture this?’” she said.
The EP features six tracks, blending reimagined favorites with new material, and will play a major role in her Philadelphia set.
Fans attending the Nikki Lopez show can expect a wide-ranging musical journey. Vakili pulls from across her catalog, mixing the newer “Oceans of Kansas” material with songs from earlier Vakili Band releases.
“It’ll be this EP, it’ll be ‘Oceans of Kansas’, it’ll be songs off a few of my albums—some lean more into deep blues rock or even punkish elements,” she said.
That stylistic diversity is part of what defines her live identity. Her music moves between blues, rock, and art rock, often anchored by poetic, introspective lyrics. The evolution of those songs continues on stage.
Pictured Above: Lily Vakili. Photo Credit: Bill Heuberger.
“That’s where the evolution of a song happens for me,” she said.
Vakili won’t be alone in bringing energy to the Philadelphia crowd. The lineup features Laurel Halsey Band and Joy Brookland, two artists she’s eager to share the stage with.
“I’m delighted that I get to be in their company,” she said. “There are these commonalities with some of our sounds, but also three very distinctive artists.”
That mix promises a dynamic evening, with each act contributing its own flavor while maintaining a cohesive, high-energy feel.
Though her current focus is on touring through early summer, Vakili is already thinking about what’s next—more shows, more collaborations and eventually, another collection of songs shaped by what she experiences on the road.
“One of the ways I develop those collections is through the feedback I get on the road,” she said.
For now, though, her emphasis is squarely on the live moment—a philosophy she believes is more important than ever.
For tickets, visit www.scenicnyc.com/nikkilopez/
