By Renee Clark Quade
Jessie Murph made history at the New York State Fair on August 22 when nearly 49,000 fans showed up to see her perform. It was the second-largest concert crowd in the Fair’s history and one of the most powerful performances we’ve ever witnessed. Touring behind her new album Sex Hysteria on her Worldwide Hysteria Tour, Jessie gave fans a mix of raw storytelling, striking visuals, and the kind of moments that remind you why live music is so unforgettable.
The night opened like a scene from a movie. Her male dancers walked out in 60s-inspired outfits, one with a suitcase and another lighting a cigarette, setting the mood as “1965” began to play. From there, the show moved seamlessly between theatrical spectacle and intimate confessions.
Jessie sat on the stairs with her dancers gathered around her for “I Like How I Look,” even being passed from one dancer to another as part of the choreography. It came across as seductive and artistic rather than flashy, and it fit the song perfectly. For “Sex Hysteria,” ropes became part of the performance, and by the end, she stood tied at the waist on a spinning circular platform that looked almost like a bed. That platform became a centerpiece throughout the night, at times spinning slowly as she sang.
Her voice is where she truly shines. It is soft yet so powerful, like she is letting you in on secrets. “Heroin” saw her dressed in lace and veil, almost like a bride stepping out of a dream. Later, in blue boots, she climbed onto her dancers’ shoulders and even did a trust fall into their arms like a cheerleader stunt. “Dirty” had one of the more shocking moments when she smashed a glass bottle over a dancer’s head while singing “crawl back to me on broken glass.” Then she took it down to the floor, performing “Ain’t But a Thing” on her knees on a corner platform.
Some of the most moving parts of the night came when she dropped the theatrics and connected directly with the crowd. During “How Could You,” she climbed onto the barricade, holding hands with fans and hugging one who sang along with her. Her crew brought out a comfy chair at one point, and she admitted she was almost too scared to talk to such a huge crowd, thanking everyone and saying it was the most people she had ever performed for. Sitting in that chair, she sang “The Man That Came Back,” a song she wrote when she was 17, leaning into her lap like she was back home in her thoughts.
One of the most unforgettable moments came when she invited a fan named Kaylee on stage to sing “If I Died Last Night.” They sat side by side, holding hands as they sang together. Jessie smiled proudly as Kaylee overcame her nerves and even let her take a verse solo. It was a genuine, emotional exchange that gave everyone in the crowd chills.
Jessie also delivered a powerful cover of Rihanna’s “Stay” before closing the night with “Blue Strips.” For the finale, her dancers fired money guns filled with fake bills featuring her face, and she “walked” over the crowd by standing on a dancer’s shoulders. It was wild, chaotic, and the perfect ending to a record-breaking night.
Jessie Murph turned the NYS Fair into her own stage and gave fans a show they will be talking about for a long time. With Sex Hysteria she has launched into a bold new chapter, and based on this performance, the hysteria is only going to keep growing.
See photos from the show below:
