SummerStage in New York, NY — October 1, 2025

At only their second-ever show as The Favors, Ashe and FINNEAS took the stage in Central Park with an easy warmth and intimacy. The pair balanced emotion with playful banter—Ashe swiping a sip of FINNEAS’ cocktail (“so strong!” she teased), and sharing quick asides about her shoes and upcoming wedding. Between these light-hearted moments, they guided the audience through a glorious set, with the crowd leaning in close enough that silence often carried as much weight as the singalongs. When voices rose together, like the enthusiastic return of “scraping her knees” during FINNEAS’ “Cleats,” it was clear both shared and solo songs had found a home in listeners. At one point, FINNEAS beamed, “I hope you all are having just as much fun as I’m having right now.”

Each artist had moments of striking individuality within the shared spotlight. Ashe—who graced the cover of Local Wolves’ Issue 68—commanded the stage during “Angry Woman,” pacing from edge to edge with raw energy, before turning reflective with a poignant setup to her hit, “Moral of the Story.”

“Nine years ago today, I married the wrong guy… I want you to know that I’m marrying the right guy later this month. And… that’s the moral of the story.”

FINNEAS, in turn, offered vulnerability, dedicating a tender Ben Folds cover to his fiancée, Claudia as Ashe lifted a sign reading “love is in the air.” Though much of The Dream was shaped in Los Angeles, the night leaned heavily into New York as both muse and backdrop, culminating in one of the band’s “ghost stories” of the city, a standout rendition of “The Hudson.” Seasoned performers in their own right, Ashe and FINNEAS carried themselves with the ease of artists who know exactly how to hold a stage, while their chemistry as The Favors made this Central Park night feel like the beginning of something truly standout.

Words & Photography: Morgan Winston