Leave the house? Seems quite likely with all of this going on.
GIG OF THE WEEK
CHAPPELL ROAN
As we speak, Chappell Roan’s Midwest Princess Tour is crashing through the UK like an infectious pink glitter bomb, leaving no fan unscathed by its full-throttle, turbo-charged pop energy. Chappell is currently one of the most exciting – and biggest – figures in pop culture, exploding since the start of the year to create a space that’s both uniquely hers and totally unfiltered. As she brings her flamboyant, riotous show to the UK, we’ve already seen the scenes from Manchester, replicating the mayhem that’s been captured and shared from every angle stateside as her crowds grow and that dance goes ever more viral.
It’s been a long road to get here. Chappell Roan has been working tirelessly for almost a decade, overcoming obstacle after obstacle. Her debut album, ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’, is the culmination of years of hard graft. “I got dropped in 2020, and I ran out of money… I’m really proud of myself that I stuck with it because it was pretty bleak for a long time,” she told Dork at the end of 2023, as we placed the record in our Albums of the Year list. It’s a sentiment that underpins her music, which is full of exuberant highs and reflective lows – a rollercoaster of emotions that plays out across the record, part bombastic, part vulnerable, and entirely engaging.
Chappell’s appeal goes beyond her music. Yes, she’s made one of the standout pop records in recent years, but what sets her apart is the universe she’s built around it. “I love going to drag shows,” she says, “I feel like when I was 7 and I saw Princess Jasmine at Disney World for the first time; that’s the feeling I get when I watch drag.” For her, drag culture is about freedom of expression, uninhibited joy, and high camp, all of which have influenced the Chappell Roan live experience. “I just wanted a girl who was free and unapologetically herself. I wanted to create concerts where people could dress up and have a blast.”
That idea of freedom, fun, and flamboyance is key to her Midwest Princess Tour. Each night features a dress-up theme, transforming the venues into spaces where fans can fully immerse themselves in the Chappell Roan experience. Whether they’re channelling ‘Pink Pony Club’ or embodying the ‘Midwest Princess’ theme, fans are as much a part of the show as Roan herself. It’s a joyous celebration of queer culture, pop music, and the very idea of performance as something liberating. Roan’s shows are immersive events about creating community – a place where people can express themselves freely without judgement.
But as Roan’s star has risen, so too has the darker side of fame reared its ugly head. In August, she took to social media to speak candidly about the pressures of being in the public eye, laying bare the realities of fan culture and the invasive behaviours she’s experienced. “People have started to be freaks,” she said bluntly. “They follow me and know where my parents live, and where my sister works. All this weird shit.” These weren’t throwaway comments; they were a cry for boundaries to be respected in an industry that too often fails to protect its stars. “I said that if [there were] stalker vibes or my family was in danger, I would quit. And we’re there. We’re there.”
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Chappell’s frankness struck a chord. The notion of parasocial relationships — where fans develop one-sided, often obsessive, connections with public figures — has become an increasingly pressing issue, exacerbated by social media. “It’s weird how people think that you know a person just because you see them online and you listen to the art they make. That’s fucking weird!” she said, pulling no punches in her assessment of the situation. Her frustration is palpable, but so too is her determination to draw a line in the sand. “When I’m on stage, when I’m performing, when I’m in drag, when I’m at a work event, when I’m doing press… I am at work. Any other circumstance, I am not in work mode. I am clocked out.”
It’s a level of honesty that is refreshing, especially in an industry that has long normalised the idea that being famous means sacrificing privacy and personal space. Roan’s stand is about reclaiming control, not just for herself but for others in the industry facing similar challenges. “Please stop touching me,” she pleaded, a stark reminder that even in the world of glittering pop stardom, basic respect for boundaries is non-negotiable. “Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me.”
Despite these very real challenges, Chappell Roan is determined to keep pushing forward, both in her career and her creative expression. She’s already thinking about the future, dreaming of expanding her genre palette. “I want to expand the genre. I really want to write a country song. I want a real dance club song. There’s so many things I want to do.”
That spirit of evolution is what makes her live shows so exciting. Chappell Roan’s performances are not static; they are dynamic. It’s not just about turning up, singing the hits, and leaving. Each show is a unique experience, where the audience plays an active role in the energy of the night. “You better be ready to party,” she promises. “We’re bringing it. Every show has a theme, so prepare to dress up and prepare to have fun. We’re coming in hot.”
Her Midwest Princess Tour is, in many ways, the perfect encapsulation of everything Chappell Roan stands for. It’s fun, fierce, and full of heart — a space where fans can come together and celebrate not just the music but the sense of freedom that it can bring. Roan’s music captures emotional depth, but it’s in her live performances where it truly comes to life. The joy, the drama, the wit — it’s all there on stage, laid bare for her audience. But as her shows continue to sell out and her fanbase grows ever larger, Roan knows that she’s on to something here. “I’ll be honest,” she confides, “and I know this sounds cocky, but I’m not that surprised people like it because it’s really good.”
Chappell Roan’s rise may seem meteoric, but it’s built on years of perseverance, passion, and a willingness to embrace the ridiculousness of pop. Her shows are an explosion of pure pop energy and a celebration of everything that makes Chappell Roan the artist she is — bold, brash, bonkers, and absolutely brilliant.
3Olympia Theatre, Dublin (17 Sept), O2 Academy Brixton, London (19, 20, 21 Sept)
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