The stage has become a second home for emotive indie-pop singer maryjo. 

She has shared toured with Jessica Baio, Alex Warren, JVKE and Knox, garnering a reputation as an old soul. 

“Alex is so, so sweet. His whole team was great. It was a really fun run,” she says of touring with Warren.

She’s also played major festivals such as Tucson’s Dusk Music Festival, Truckee Music Festival, and Warped Tour 2025.

Now she’s coming to the Rebel Lounge on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with Drew Ryn, Mimi Foxx and Rikki Lumi. Doors open at 7 p.m. Ryn, formerly known as Drew Ryniewicz of Chino Valley, auditioned for “American Idol” with her original song “Walk on Water” and earned a golden ticket to Hollywood season 23. 

It’s no surprise that maryjo, a “American Idol” top 24 finalist, was invited to festivals and tours such as those. First, she earned a golden ticket on “Idol” for her second time around. 

At 25 years old, maryjo (born Mary Jo Young in Knoxville, Tennessee) has amassed more than 200 million streams, 2.5 million monthly listeners, and a social media following that tops 1.5 million — all thanks to her piano ballads and large following on TikTok. Her collaboration with global artist Cyril on the electronic dance-pop hit “Still Into You,” surpassed 150 million streams.

While on “Idol” season 19, then-judge Katy Perry gave maryjo advice that she still carries. 

“I really admired Katy a lot,” said maryjo, who was on season 24. “If I’m being totally honest, I don’t really remember anything they said except Katy always saying to make sure I get the rasp in there.”

The “rasp” is the backbone of her breakout single “Love Fools,” an aching, piano‑driven ballad produced by ACM Award‑winner Gordon Mote. 

“The process has definitely changed over the years,” she said about writing songs.

“But usually we start by talking about where my life’s at — what I want to write about, how I want to deliver the message. We always start with piano or guitar and find chords we like. Then we spend hours on lyrics. Melodies tend to flow pretty natural for me, especially on piano‑driven, more intense songs.”

Growing up in Cleveland and seeing concerts as a child inspired her future career. She believes her first concert was Taylor Swift, but “I like to tell people it was Post Malone.” 

For the rest of the year, maryjo is cutting more music, and “I’m really hoping for more tours!”