Chappell Roan @ Basement East
Nashville- February 23, 2023
Chappell Roan
After teasing her new persona for about 3 years, songwriter Chappell Roan has embarked on her first headlining tour.
Each show is appointed its own theme, all inspired by the bubbly pop princess world that Roan has built among her fanbase. On her Nashville stop, the audience was prepared to stay the night for the Slumber Party Kissin’ theme, which demanded a sea of pink and red silk, glitter, and even a hair roller or two.
Roan has been the opening act for artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Fletcher, making her well informed on what kind of energy is necessary to hype up a crowd. As openers Roan has chosen three local Drag Queens for each location to serve the audience. The Nashville Queens were Cya Inhale, Delta Granta, and Alexia Noelle Paris. While energizing the crowd, they also shed light on the bill being brought to the Tennessee House to ban public drag shows. The Queens encouraged everyone to exercise their right to vote.
Roan stepped on stage to open the sixth show of her first headlining tour. Her band wore uniformed pink pajama sets, trickled with tiny red hearts. The stage presence was feminine with just the right amount of power and edge.
They began with “Naked in Manhattan”, in honor of the anthems one year anniversary. The animation on the stage brought so much life to the audience.
Roan’s diverse set list included songs from her dark pop era in 2018, vibrant new singles including “Femininomenon” and “My Kink is Karma”, and even an Alanis Morrisette cover of “You Oughta Know” that rumbled the ground. She also performed unreleased songs from her upcoming album that will be announced in May and released in September.
The show was truly a celebration of love and music for everyone. Roan executed an outrageous vocal performance, as well as immense stamina throughout the night.
Until her LP is released, keep your eyes out for the music video of “Casual”, Roan’s latest and most successful single yet. If you have the chance, go see Chappell Roan live on any of the remaining tour dates. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Opening in Arizona, the Naked in North America Tour will have a total of 20 stops, ending on March 15 in Los Angeles.
WORDS BY SOPHIA COOK
PHOTO BY RYAN CLEMENS