The Sinclair transformed into the fabled Pink Pony Club for a special sold-out evening with Chappell Roan, a queer pop queen taking the indie and dance pop scene by storm. A sea of glittery pink cowboy hats and bedazzled jean jackets filled the venue at the request of Roan’s handpicked theme for Boston, “Pink Pony Club,” after her song of the same name.
Originally from Missouri, the now LA-based singer has developed her own style of fun and flirty pop with ballad-like undertones rooted in her southern childhood. Her songs combine a perfect mixture of dance and indie pop with a hint of country folk that cover topics ranging from sexuality, broken hearts and the power of femininity.
Roan took an unconventional approach with the opening act, opting to replace a band or singer with a drag show featuring local drag queens from each city. The stage became a dance floor for Dorchester queens Candace Persuasian, Lily Rose and Harlow Havoc, all of whom can be found weekly at Blend restaurant and nightclub.
The excitement built until Roan took the stage with her band and wasted no time getting the party started with “Naked in Manhattan,” and “Femininominon,” driving the beat through the crowd like a machine. Pacing is one of Roan’s strong suits, taking time to let the crowd breathe as she performs an emotional, stripped-down mini set to break up the dance party. After playing through a few of her older songs from the School Nights era, Roan immediately cut through the tension with an impressive and energetic rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
After a brief story of her childhood dream to be a cheerleader, Roan teaches the crowd some simple cheer-inspired choreography before kicking into “Hot To Go.” The chorus spells out the title of the song, accompanied by the cheer dance that prompts a hundred eager arms to shoot into the air in the shape of each letter. As the second chorus kicked in, it felt criminal not to participate and Chappell Roan made sure that every person was valued, loved and always welcome at the Pink Pony Club.
Listen to Chappell Roan here!
Catch Chappell Roan in concert here!
PHOTO GALLERY BY Cam Cavagnaro
