Charli XCX Live In Chicago — How The Singer Is Creating A New Future For Pop Music (Tour Review)
Drag Queens, Poppers, Gay Rights, and Moshing — This Is A Charli XCX Show
A new subculture of pop music has been on the rise for the past couple years — experimental, futuristic, bold.
But what truly makes this subculture unique is the connection between the artists and their fans.
This new movement of pop music has been pioneered by UK singer, Charli XCX with the help of A.G. Cook and other artists such as, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Allie X, SOPHIE, Dorian Electra, Slayyyter, and more.
On Saturday night, I got to experience this new wave of pop music live as Charli XCX made her way to Chicago’s House of Blues for her first ever solo headlining tour, Charli Live, a sold-out show.
The lights dimmed. Smoke rose from the stage. A voice-over played through the speakers a thank you message from Charli to all of her friends who have been featured in her music and helped make the night come to life.
It was time for the manic Charli XCX party to begin.
“I go hard, I go fast, and I never look back,” Charli sang as she danced onto the stage in neon green fringe pants. “Turn the volume up / put your hands up and scream /bump bump, lights go out / go forever and ever.”
The entire floor began to SHAKE as fans jumped up and down and began to mosh (and one guy attempted to swing from the balcony).
Charli moved on to her second song of the night, Click, featuring Kim Petras and Tommy Cash.
The prominent thing about this number is that it genuinely embodies the aesthetic of Charli XCX and represents everyone who supports this new future movement of pop music.
“Pull up, vroom vroom, oh sh*t / Charli’s up in this bitch / ...You can’t f*ck with my clique /...I’m next level, so legit with all my clique, clique, clique / all you bitches f*cking wish you had this clique.”
As I looked out into the audience it was clear at that moment that all of us in the venue really were one big clique.
The sense of community that has been built amongst the fans and Charli is palpable. There are few other artists out there who are as committed to creating something new within their genre of music that connects with their fans as Charli is.
We were all dressed in outlandish, club-kid inspired outfits with zero judgment, strangers were dancing with each other, everyone was sharing their poppers — it was beautiful.
One fan, Caleb Marin, who arrived at the venue at 7:00 a.m. to ensure a front-row view
of the show said, “Charli is an incredible performer and I love the way she interacts with her fans. The fact that she cares about us as much as we care about her is so meaningful. That’s why I keep chasing my bag — to be able to keep going to her shows and buy her albums and merch without regret.”
Marin adds, “Her music is out of this world, you never know what she’s gonna put out next. Charli’s totally next level and if you don’t see it, you’re not on it.”
Other fans felt so connected to the Charli XCX scene that they got engaged during Charli’s meet and greet. Charli later dedicated her love song, Official, to the couple with the biggest smile on her face.
Moving on from that sweet spot, the intensely chaotic energy reached a thrilling high when Charli sang her cult-favorite number, Vroom Vroom, as pink strobe lights illuminated the room.
“LAVENDER LAMBORGHINI, ROLL UP IN A BLUE BIKINI, BITCHES ON THE BEACHES LOOKIN’ SUPER CUTE AND FREAKY / ...VROOM VROOM, BITCHES KNOW THEY CAN’T CATCH ME / VROOM VROOM, CUTE, SEXY, AND MY RIDE’S SPORTY,” the crowd chanted back to Charli louder than she could even sing the words into her mic.
Her ability to keep a crowd entertained and absolutely manic deserves to be applauded.
Another highlight of the night was during Charli’s song, Shake It, when she invited local drag queens and dancers to come on stage and showcase their talent with her throughout the number.
“Gay rights!” Charli yelled as she announced the performers onto the stage.
One of these lucky dancers invited to perform was Milwaukee native and Charli XCX stan, Michael Hierl.
“A dream come true! I’ve looked up to Charli since 2013 and I’ve watched her grow into an amazing artist who has such a dedicated fan base,” Hierl said.
Hierl described his experience on stage as, “absolutely amazing,” and that, “the crowd energy was everything and being on the other side of it was crazy!”
He went on to say how appreciative he was for the opportunity to dance with Charli and tell her about the impact she has made on his life.
“Prepare yourself for an amazing night, the fans go hard! Get ready to dance and feel free because that’s exactly what Charli wants from you!” Hierl says to those who have yet to experience a Charli XCX show.
Hierl added, “the years of waiting for a solo headlining tour are finally over and BABY it was worth the wait!”
Charli XCX’s Setlist:
1.) Next Level Charli
2.) Click
3.) I Don’t Want To Know
4.) Vroom Vroom
5.) Gone
6.) Cross You Out
7.) Warm
8.) February 2017
9.) Thoughts
10.) White Mercedes
11.) Official
12.) Shake It
13.) I Got It
14.)Track 10/Blame It
15.) Silver Cross
16.) 2099
17.) Unlock It
18.) I Love It
19.) Boys
20.) 1999
