Introducing Chappell Roan – already an Icon!

I don’t care where you are on your journey, I want you here – you are cherished and I want you to feel that. Thank God gay people exist. Thank God straight people support them!

Chappell Roan

As a self-confessed music nut, it’s perhaps surprising I don’t blog about music a little bit more! I’m going to change that today and try to bring to life the best concert I’ve been to this year, so far!

The first time Chappell Roan played in London was at the capital’s Garage to 600 people. That was well over a year ago in June 2023 her introduction to the U.K.

Roan had a mammoth run opening on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour in the US, cementing her place as an artist with serious breakout potential. In the spring, she had a scene-stealing appearance at Coachella and debuted her new song “Good Luck Babe”, which would go on to land at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 on the U.K. Singles Charts. Still far and away my song of 2024!

Further live appearances at New York City’s Governors Ball and Chicago’s Lollapalooza saw the crowds swell, and a win at the recent MTV VMAs earlier this year took things even further. The day before her opening night at London’s O2 Academy Brixton (September 19th) – the first of three sold-out shows – it was announced she’d perform on Saturday Night Live next month. And a star is born!

A chance to see an artist in what will soon be considered intimate settings, was too good an opportunity to miss, to this date one of the best performances I’ve ever seen was by Amy Winehouse at the very intimate, Porchester Hall, a gig you can still catch on YouTube here. And here in Brixton we all knew it! There was a giddy, excited atmosphere, with a huge sensation of anticipation!

These were the bits that made it so memorable!

Horns at the Ready

Each night the tour has come with a theme for attendees inspired by the campness of her songs, ranging from Pink Pony Club (fuchsia cowboy hats) to Midwest Princess (plaid patters). On this occasion I was delighted that the theme surrounded, "My Kink Is Karma". If you watch the video you’ll understand the need for red lingerie, leather, face-paint and devil horns, I settled for a leopard skin skirt I picked up in Camden and outrageously blue eyeshadow! Even the security guards got into character sporting glittering scarlet headbands and lipstick!

Love for the UK

Crowd flattery never hurts, but when Roan spoke directly to the Brixton crowd about their connection, it really did feel very genuine. “The U.K. has always been the most welcoming to me,” she said, reflecting on the journey she’s been on. From levelling up from The Garage to iconic gay club Heaven last December to now a trio of nights at the historic O2 Academy Brixton – to the tune of 15,000 tickets – the Brits enthusiasm for getting out and supporting live emerging acts cannot be understated.

Inevitable Crowd Participation

You have to admire Roan for attempting to explain to us the moves to “Hot To Go!”, her viral hit and signature moves! None of us needed any instructions or indeed encouragement to replicate the YMCA-ish moves spelling out the song’s title. A sea of arms flew up on every chorus to nail the collective dance that’s been all over your TikTok feed for the past few months at festival season!

The incredible diversity of the set!

With just one album under her belt, Roan knows how to keep things fresh. “Subway”, which got its debut at Gov Ball in her Lady Liberty get-up, is already something of a crowd-pleaser, the wistful longing for an ex that still hangs around as she bounces around the city. When Roan belted out the closing refrain of “she’s got away”, her voice sounded sublime and powerful, as did the crowd’s!

The brilliance of the production!

There’s no questioning Roan’s performance – her red cowboy boots barely hit the ground with all the high-kicks! – but the streamlined setup played to her strengths. Her tight band, made up of Andrea Ferrero (guitar), Lucy Ritter (drums) and Allee Futterer (bass), kept things moving and the vibrant light show proved that visuals are not mandatory when the performer is as engaging as this!

Love for the queer community

Roan has been candid about the new attention that’s come her way and how toxic “fans” occasionally overstep the line. But judging the O2s crowd, that’s hopefully an anomaly, not the trend. She recognises as such about how this fanbase is crucial for the queer community and the need for allies. “I’m so thankful I have the queer community. I needed this when I was 15. You belong here. I don’t care where you are on your journey, I want you here – you are cherished and I want you to feel that. Thank God gay people exist. Thank God straight people support them.”

Wow, that truly amazing voice!

Before “Kaleidoscope”, Roan told the crowd that she’d shied away from playing this song on the U.K. leg and was considering dropping it all together. But when she spoke of the pressure to speak to her fans from the stage she explained “how much easier I find it just to sing” and let those words say it all. So for “Kaleidoscope”, she played it straight: no band members, just her and the piano. It goes to show just how strong a songwriter Roan is, particularly once all the sequins have stopped shimmering and you tune into her hushed reverence. And yes, I wasn’t the only one crying!

What’s on this week?