Shab made an emotional return to New York for her first concert in the city last week.
At a politically-charged time, Shab stands out for being proud of her back story as an Iranian refugee who was taken to the US as a young teen, and strode confidently onto the stage in a black overcoat, symbolically clutching a small suitcase as the spoken-word intro to her track Alchemy blared out over the speakers at Racket NYC.
The lyrics neatly summed up Shab’s story for fans with the words: “It’s all true – I landed in New York barely a teenager, speaking no English. All my possessions in a single small suitcase.”
It was a goosebump-inducing opening, and the audience might have expected a sombre set to follow. But Shab had other plans. With a magnetic smile, she shrugged off her coat, set the symbolic suitcase aside, and transformed the stage’s atmosphere in an instant—launching into a sultry, high-voltage rendition of One Suitcase, the title track from her album.
While the singer is preparing to launch her own Drop Trou clothing line, which she had showcased for the first time during her soundcheck, she revealed her sheer black costume with thigh boots had been chosen because of the symbolism it represented – the first outfit she ever wore for a live performance, symbolising both rebirth and self-ownership.
In a single evening, Shab reminded New York that pop can still be personal, political, and powerful all at once.
Backed by two hunky male dancers – who nearly stole the spotlight themselves – and her longtime musical director Mike Manning, Shab quickly turned first-time onlookers into cheering fans. As she powered through Indestructible, the room pulsed with her energy. Her performance style combined Jennifer Lopez’s show-stopping confidence with Shakira’s hypnotic rhythm and fluid grace, every move charged with emotion and intent.
Her sound and stage presence channelled the golden era of early-2000s pop divas, evoking Christina Aguilera’s fire and Britney Spears’ Toxic-era edge—especially during her fierce, flirtatious performances of Say It With Your Chest, Sexual, and Lipstick. The crowd responded in kind, singing, dancing, and cheering as if watching a global superstar in the making.
When Voodoo began with its Fat Joe intro, Shab slipped offstage briefly while Mike amped up the already buzzing crowd. Moments later, she reemerged for her final number – an emotionally charged performance of her upcoming single Skin + Bones – leaving the stage to huge cheers.
But the night didn’t end there. Instead of retreating backstage, Shab dove straight into the crowd, dancing joyfully among fans during The Wanted 2.0’s set, exuding the same radiant energy she’d just delivered onstage. Her humility and warmth were unmistakable – she handed out gifts, posed for photos, and chatted with fans long after the show ended.
Shab’s new EP, Skin + Bones, drops on November 21, while her debut fashion collection launches exclusively on DropTrouNow.com later this year.
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