Singer-songwriter Haley Blais recently wrapped up her Wisecrack album era with a fantastic set at Racket NYC, mostly featuring rearrangements of the songs from the record (which was done to switch things up, since Haley and her band have been playing some of these tracks since 2022).

Haley is a Vancouver-based musician who got her start on Youtube and released her debut album, Below the Salt, in 2020. She followed up this endeavor with Wisecrack, her sophomore record, in 2023. A deluxe edition of this album featuring a few additional tracks dropped in April 2024.

Wetsuit and Natalie Wilson opened the night, and then it was time for Haley and her band. They played the entire Wisecrack album, as well as “Small Foreign Faction” and a cover of Sarah McLachlan’s “Sweet Surrender” (you can stream Hayley’s studio version on Spotify as well). The vibe throughout the night was serene and comforting, and the nature tracks that played between songs set the tone wonderfully. Despite the overall feeling of tranquility in the venue, you could hear and see fans singing and swaying along to each of the songs, which was greatly appreciated by Haley. Haley’s dry sense of humor also added a unique and memorable touch to the show, and I enjoyed getting to hear about her songwriting process and how she first got into making music.

The first time I saw Haley perform in concert, it was an entirely acoustic set for Tommy Lefroy back in 2023, and her set was unfortunately cut a bit short. I am thrilled that I finally got to hear Wisecrack performed in its entirety, as it’s one of my favorite albums that was released in 2023. The album’s touring cycle might be over, but I encourage anyone who is a fan of Haley to see her live someday, and I can’t wait to hear all of her future musical releases!