Hillari takes New York by storm with first international tour date
The singer-songwriter discusses her international debut, her European tour dates this past summer, and more
Norwegian Filipina singer-songwriter Hillari made her international headlining concert debut earlier this year.
Lydia Tefera
Words by Bri Ng Schwartz
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Norwegian Filipina singer-songwriter Hillari has planted the seeds to staple herself as a rising, soulful pop and R&B voice. She made her international headlining concert debut earlier this year with a sold-out show at Racket in New York City. The performance was one to remember, with a full chorus dispersed throughout the audience at the start of the show, creating a soundscape that filled the entire venue—along with an incredible band accompanying Hillari’s booming vocals.
Following a festival and European tour circuit, Hillari is building her community across the globe. We had the chance to discuss this career-defining moment, New York, and more about her creative and cultural background.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Bri Ng Schwartz: How has New York been treating you so far?
Hillari: It feels so special to be here doing my first ever international headline show. I love New York. This is my second time being here, and I just felt like New York has welcomed me with such open arms. I really feel the love whenever I’m here, even though the love is sometimes a side eye in the subway.
BNS: How does it feel to finally be crossing this finish line of doing your New York show?
Hillari: Oh, girl. It’s crazy. The first time that I came to New York was in March. I never thought I was going to have my headline show just a couple months after. That wasn’t even a part of my brain. I was just like, let me see the vibes and build my community. Since my first trip, I feel like I found my people.
BNS: You just came off of a run of shows in Norway. How was that?
Hillari: It’s been amazing, and it was definitely needed because I see it as a practice. Now that I’ve had my round in Norway, and back-to-back festivals in Europe, I’m geared up for New York.
BNS: Any highlights from those performances?
Hillari: Roskilde, which is one of Northern Europe’s biggest headliner festivals. This is a whole new territory for me. Knowing that I was at the same festival as Doechii, I expected 50 people in my crowd, but from start to finish the whole stage was packed. The audience was so with me. There were almost no phones up because they were just so present.
BNS: Speaking of Doechii, who are some of your inspirations right now?
Hillari: Definitely Doechii, because her artistry is just so intentional, which I want to be more of. Alicia Keys has always been my inspiration since I was a little kid because my mom put her on the TV and radio.
BNS: Diary of Alicia Keys was one of the first albums I remember listening to with my mom.
Hillari: It’s an iconic part of our upbringing.
BNS: She’s a New York icon too.
Hillari: Maybe that’s why I’m here.
Doechii and Alicia Keys are two of Hillari's biggest inspirations.
Siddharth Gandhi
BNS: How do you take time to pause and regroup during touring and travel?
Hillari: Journaling. I was taught how to journal by my mom when I was 8. She would say, “Before you even say ‘hi’ or ‘good morning’ to me, your dad or sister, say ‘good morning’ to yourself.” I see the fruits of it too—to actually know how I’m doing and to truly check in with myself.
BNS: By the time this interview comes out, you will have had a show in the Philippines.
Hillari: I’m happy that we get to do this again, because my first show in the Philippines was in 2023. It’s going to feel super special to be back home. This is me coming home to my own people.
BNS: How did your Filipino culture show up for you growing up? How does it inform your creative practice now?
Hillari: I grew up in the Philippines from ages 3-8. I grew up with a grandmother, and she would pay me to entertain uncles, grandmothers, and all the neighbors that would gather in our house. That set the footprint on me on how to entertain other people around me musically.
Hillari and her accompanying band at Racket in New York City.
Lydia Tefera
BNS: What is your favorite thing about being Filipino?
Hillari: It’s the community. I love how Filipinos show up for each other, especially in this age of just hyper-independence. Especially also coming from a Norwegian background. We’re so family oriented in the Philippines, while in Norway we’re very hyper-independent. The more I grew up, the more I see my dependence on having people I love around me.
BNS: My last question for you is: How is your soul right now?
Hillari: My soul is very fulfilled. I’m at a place in my life where I’m content with where I’m at. I’ve learned to bloom wherever I’m planted.
Published on December 11, 2025
Words by Bri Ng Schwartz
Bri Ng Schwartz is a writer and arts administrator based in Brooklyn. Her writing has included artist interviews and profiles, music festival and theater reviews. She has been featured in publications including Mixed Asian Media, LADYGUNN, The Amp and more. She is also the education and community outreach manager at Primary Stages. Follow her on instagram at @bri.ng.schwartz and check out her writing at https://linktr.ee/