[Concert Review] Jessica Biao & Jake Clark Light Up The Rebel Lounge – A Night of Wholesome Chaos and Pure Talent
There’s something special about a show at The Rebel Lounge. The crowd is tight, the artists are just a few feet away, and the energy? Unmatched. On a slightly-too-warm March evening, Jessica Biao and Jake Clark turned up the heat even more—literally and figuratively—with a night full of heartfelt moments, fan interactions, and voices that echoed long after the lights came up.
Jake Clark – The “Hot Mess” With a Soft Spot
Jake Clark opened the night with the kind of chaos that only a one-man show can bring—and somehow made it feel like you were watching your friend perform for the first time and like you were seeing a pro who’s done this a thousand times.
After telling us to pretend we didn’t see him setting up, Jake re-emerged to full cheers from a crowd clearly here for him. His set was intimate, charming, and full of little moments that made the audience fall in love with him all over again. From being gifted a pink cowboy hat (which he wore proudly before tossing it to a lucky fan) to giving away his bandana and receiving a friendship bracelet, his fan interactions felt genuine and unscripted.
One of the standout tracks of the night was “Soft Spot,” a song that lives up to its name and had the crowd swaying. Despite some minor tech issues with his in-ear monitor, Jake kept his energy up and leaned into his self-proclaimed “hot mess” status with humor and heart. When a fan shouted that it hit the 90s this weekend “because Jake arrived,” it was clear—he’s got that kind of magnetism.
A particularly touching moment came when he shouted out Christian and Makayla in the crowd:
“Christian has told us all about you and that you're very awesome. So, I wanna dedicate this song to you guys. Yeah, you deserve something awesome. Anyways, this is my song, 'Deserve’…”
And judging by the crowd’s reaction—singing along with passion and joy—they really did.
Jessica Biao – A Swiftie-Approved Star On The Rise
The moment Jessica Biao stepped on stage, The Rebel Lounge erupted. There was something electric in the air. The crowd was loud, and she soaked in every second with gratitude.
Jessica’s set was full of fan-favorite originals, powerful vocals, and moments of vulnerability that hit hard. She opened up about feeling “not good enough” from being typecast by the industry, only to look around the room and say:
“Every single one of you in here tonight has made me feel like I am and I can't thank you enough for that. You're amazing. I love you guys.”
Her performance of “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” was a major highlight, showing off both her vocal control and her emotional storytelling. Add in a cover of “You Belong With Me” and a mini Taylor Swift tribute (including a killer rendition of “Trouble”), and you could practically feel the friendship bracelets forming mid-air.
Speaking of bracelets—fans were eager to shower her with gifts. From bracelets to birthday shoutouts (Jessica sang happy birthday to Hailey in the front row!), she received each offering with warmth and grace. At one point, she even accepted a fan-written song, a rare and touching exchange.
Also worth shouting out: her drummer—seriously, incredible work behind the kit. The live arrangements elevated her entire set.
By the end of her performance, it was clear Jessica isn’t just a singer with a few viral tracks—she’s a full-fledged performer with a devoted, growing fanbase. She also might be one of the most wholesome artists I’ve ever shot. You can feel how much she cares.
Final Thoughts
Jessica Biao and Jake Clark brought everything I love about smaller venue shows to the forefront—real connections, candid chaos, and the kind of storytelling that stays with you. Whether you came in as a fan or stumbled in out of curiosity, you likely left with a playlist full of new favorites and a soft spot for two artists on the rise.
