Phoenix teen shoegaze phenom Flyingfish kicks off tour in Chicago

17-year-old musician Sam Fishman brings his evolving shoegaze sound to Subterranean this Tuesday.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Sam Fishman, who performs under the name Flyingfish, is a 17-year-old musician from Phoenix who has been making waves in the shoegaze scene. After breaking out on TikTok with his track "Wonder if You Care" at age 14, Fishman has continued to develop his sound, incorporating more alternative rock influences on his latest EP "Second Attempt." Flyingfish is kicking off a tour in Chicago this Tuesday at Subterranean, with support from Love Letter and Old Coke.

Why it matters

Flyingfish represents a new generation of shoegaze artists who are pushing the genre in fresh directions, blending it with elements of emo, indie rock, and more. At just 17 years old, Fishman has already built a strong following, and his Chicago show will be an opportunity for local fans to catch his evolving live performance.

The details

Fishman's latest EP "Second Attempt" showcases his growth as an artist, with more defined song structures and a broader alternative rock influence compared to his earlier material. Tracks like "Burn" and "Probably, Honestly" draw comparisons to second-wave emo acts like Mineral, while the opening riff of "Spotless Mind" has a wall of sound reminiscent of classic shoegaze bands.

  • Flyingfish is kicking off a tour with a show in Chicago on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • Fishman released his latest EP "Second Attempt" in February 2026.

The players

Flyingfish

The stage name of 17-year-old musician Sam Fishman, who hails from Phoenix and has been making waves in the shoegaze scene.

Love Letter

An opening act performing with Flyingfish at the Chicago show.

Old Coke

Another opening act performing with Flyingfish at the Chicago show.

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What’s next

Flyingfish will continue his tour with additional shows in Chicago on March 11 at The Burlington, and March 6-7 at The Hideout.

The takeaway

At just 17 years old, Flyingfish's Sam Fishman is already making a name for himself in the shoegaze scene, blending the genre with elements of emo, indie rock, and more. His Chicago show at Subterranean will be an opportunity for local fans to experience his evolving live performance and see the next generation of shoegaze artists in action.