Scenes from the stage: David Kushner

“Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time …”

As fans lined up for David Kushner, they echoed the chorus of “Daylight,” the viral tune that catapulted him into stardom. The Fillmore Detroit was the eighth stop of his tour, debuting his new album, The Dichotomy.

ROSIE opens for David Kushner at The Fillmore Detroit Saturday night. Ananya Kedia/Daily. Buy this photo.

The concert began with the perfect opening set: ROSIE. A singer-songwriter whose story reads much like Kushner’s, they both grew up writing music as a means to discover their identity. Through her songs, ROSIE highlighted the importance of mental health struggles and self-love – a heartfelt message that was warmly received by the crowd, especially as they cheered and swayed their way through her closing song, “Little Bit Better.”

Kushner’s energetic stage presence was reflected in the deafening roar of the crowd. Fans knew they were in for a rollercoaster of emotions as he opened by juxtaposing upbeat anthems like “Poison” with tear jerkers like “Mr. Forgettable.”

David Kushner performs at The Fillmore Detroit Saturday night. Ananya Kedia/Daily. Buy this photo.

Kushner interweaved his personal journey into the set with his commentary, frequently underscoring themes of spirituality, philosophy and relationships. The fans listened closely as he prefaced his track “Burn” with a solemn note about living in an abusive relationship. He directly addressed his crowd, composed primarily of young adults, by describing the feeling of being lost in his late teens and his journey of religious discovery, one that inspired his song, “Sweet Oblivion.” It was during intricate moments like these that the nuances and depth of his storytelling style truly shone through.

David Kushner sings to the audience at The Fillmore Detroit Saturday night. Ananya Kedia/Daily. Buy this photo.

“Thank you, Detroit!” Kushner exclaimed.

Leaving the stage without performing his signatures, “Miserable Man” and “Daylight,” Kushner shocked the audience. Anxious, the crowd began chanting his name before he finally reappeared, closing the night with powerful renditions of these most beloved tracks.

Staff Photographer Ananya Kedia can be reached at ananyakd@umich.edu.

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