Live Review: Hannah Cohen with mmeadows at Aisle 5 in Atlanta, 3/31/26

As the daughter of jazz drummer Myron Cohen and granddaughter of the Belfast poet W. R. Rodgers, Hannah Cohen seems almost predestined for a creative life. That upbringing seems to have affected her art today, which is a jazz-pop dream, pairing with her intelligent and thoughtful lyrical style.

The bohemian flavor of Atlanta’s Little Five Points district has been an artist haven for decades. The vibe was the perfect host for Cohen’s show, along with her fans. The singer is currently on tour in support of her latest album Earthstar Mountain, her fourth since 2012’s Child Bride. She enlisted a cast of friends who seem to have a musical Midas touch, including Clairo, Sufjan Stevens, and Liam Kazar among others.

Although not played on this evening, songs such as her cover of legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone‘s instrumental “Una Spiaggia” (“A Beach”) underscore her commitment to reimagining musical genres most modern artists remain clueless about.

The performance itself leaned into atmosphere. Cohen repeatedly requested dim lighting, enveloping the room in a hazy, dreamlike glow for the mostly-standing collection of fans. The show began with “Dusty,” her ode to Dusty Springfield, singing “Nobody says it’s an easy ride / Testing the edges, changing your mind / No way of escaping time / Everywhere you go now.” The majority of songs came from Earthstar Mountain, along with her cover of Peggy Lee’s “Me And My Shadow,” plus several unreleased tracks that hinted at where she may go next.

Cohen and her band evoked the intimacy of early 20th-century New York City jazz clubs, making the experience feel immersive rather than just performative. As great as Mountain is, hearing it live is required to understand the full effect and intention of Cohen’s art.

Opening act mmeadows featuring Kristin Slipp (formerly of Dirty Projectors) and Cole Kamen-Green delivered an engaging and rhythmically vibrant set. Their chemistry was evident, blending danceable grooves with Slipp’s standout vocals. Performing songs from their most recent full-length album Light Moves Around You, “By Design” has gained popularity and was their opening tune. Several new singles were also performed which will hopefully surface on a new LP from this dynamic duo.

The pair stood at the front of the stage for their eight-song set, mixing it up with the crowd. Slipp’s incredible voice set the tone for the evening with Kamen-Green – a master of all instruments – keeping the scene light and fun. Cohen enlisted Slipp as backup singer for most of her main set. The harmonies were magical.