Kisses from the Diaspora: mHart’s Grand Finale at Houston’s House of Blues
Written by Gwyneth Gravador & Jae Santos | September 28, 2025
On Sunday, September 28, Kisses from the Diaspora held its first concert in Houston, Texas, at the Bronze Peacock inside the House of Blues. Hosted by mHart, the event featured an impressive lineup of artists, including Allie Arnaez, Francene Rouelle, Minh, and Promqueen. As the doors opened, the cozy venue quickly filled with eager attendees ready to immerse themselves in a night of performances. The atmosphere felt both intimate and cinematic—enhanced by the warm, vintage décor of the House of Blues, which perfectly complemented the evening’s tone.
Opening the show was Allie Arnaez, a Houston native now based in Austin, whose charisma and stage presence instantly set the tone for the night. Before diving into her set, she shared with the crowd that her new EP, FM Radio, had dropped back in May. She kicked off with “Games,” followed by a series of vibrant, pop-forward tracks, including “He a Fan,” “Guessin,” “D34thw11sh,” and “Amnesia.” Each song pulsed with catchy hooks and sleek choreography from her backup dancers, MJ & Claribella, whose synchronized moves elevated the performance into a full pop experience.
The atmosphere shifted when she performed her latest single, “Passenger Princess,” a heartfelt track inspired by her best friend’s move to New York. Allie combined smooth vocals, confident stage presence, and top-notch choreography from her backup dancers to create a captivating performance. One of the night’s highlights came during her song “Sin,” when Allie and her dancers incorporated chairs into the routine, delivering a high-energy, synchronized performance that felt both bold and powerful.
Next up was Francene Rouelle, bringing soulful energy and emotional depth to the stage. She opened with “Your Name,” the leading track from her newly released album, Off the Carousel, which was released on August 1, 2025. Her voice filled the room with warmth and clarity throughout the song. Transitioning into “Side Effects,” she shared the song’s meaning: “It’s about breaking cycles in a relationship that no longer serves you—and the side effects that come with it.” Her openness and sincerity drew the audience in, creating a special moment.
Midway through her set, Francene faced some in-ear monitor issues but carried on with infectious positivity and a radiant smile. Between songs, she and her backup dancers, Giovannie & Robert, hyped up the crowd, encouraging everyone to jump along—catching the attention of a few especially enthusiastic fans, including one dressed in a banana suit. The highlight came when Francene debuted an unreleased track, “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” The audience erupted with excitement, and one fan shouted, “I like that song!” before realizing it hadn’t even been released yet. Francene laughed, sharing the moment with the crowd and turning what could’ve been an awkward slip into one of the most genuine, memorable interactions of the evening.
After Allie and Francene’s amazing performances, the stage was set for the next talented artists. Calm and colorful performances by Minh and Promqueen, respectively, complemented each other beautifully, contrasting their styles in an engaging way, with Minh performing first.
Minh’s calm and chill demeanor was captured in the songs he chose to perform, starting with “Bad Habits.” This upbeat energy carried throughout the room with “Moon” playing next, balanced by “Hypnotized,” which brought a more relaxed, flirty vibe. After a short hydration break, Minh asked the crowd to jump for his next song, “Eternity,” and the audience definitely brought the energy. The song painted a scene straight out of a coming-of-age movie that reeled the crowd in even more.
The set flowed seamlessly into “Gemini,” “Aphrodite,” and “Deserve You,” where Minh fully showcased his guitar skills and lit up the crowd. These songs transformed the room into the feeling of a sunset drive with your favorite person—a moment you never want to end. In contrast, “Pieces” cultivated a more heartbroken yet hopeful feeling, with a strong bass line contrasting his smooth, calm voice. His guitar playing tied the song together beautifully.
As the set drew to a close, Minh took a moment to thank everyone and said, “I’ve been here so many times [as a fan], and it still feels so surreal.” In honor of performing in Houston, he performed “713,” referencing Houston’s area code and reflecting on his nostalgia and meaningful experiences in the city. Closing his performance with “Amends” could not have been more fitting, providing a perfect conclusion and leaving the audience feeling reflective.
Tying the whole night together, Promqueen entered with a heart-racing, vibrant sound. The energy shifted from calm sunset nostalgia to electric blue euphoria with her unreleased song “Ky Ten.” The crowd was immediately pulled into her world as she used pantomime and props throughout her performance, especially during “Nimbus.” After these unreleased songs, Promqueen declared, “Houston, we have a problem…I feel something changing.” She transitioned smoothly into “White Rabbit (Interlude),” showcasing a dramatic scene with red ribbons where her backup dancers, MJ & Angelina, pulled her like a puppet. The atmosphere shifted from dreamy to angsty as she performed “Roulette.”
Promqueen represented her Vietnamese roots through the songs “Hungry” and “Nga Mai,” expressing raw emotions about embracing change and finding peace in vulnerability. She conveyed these complex themes with flowing fabrics and dynamic chair choreography. Promqueen then paid homage to a classic by covering “Doo Wop,” showing off her rap skills and encouraging the crowd to join in.
As the night drew to a close, Promqueen’s energy softened. She humorously pretended to take a nap before continuing with “Good Morning,” reenacting her busy routine and emphasizing how “the grind never stops.” Before her final song, she thanked the audience and performed her recent release, “Scarlett,” a song that embodied women’s power and resilience, leaving the crowd motivated and inspired.
The night ended with a surprise remix of “Pov,” where Promqueen brought all the artists back on stage for a celebratory dance circle. Kisses from the Diaspora brought these talented artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create a night of celebratory representation of Asian artistry in Texas. MHart curated an unforgettable event at the House of Blues—one filled with talented artists, stunning performances, and a sense of community, “reversing” the Asian diaspora one city at a time.
