Review: Chappell Roan’s Midwest Fairytale Unfolds at Lollapalooza
IT’S CHAPPELL ROAN’S WORLD AND WE’RE ALL LIVING IN IT – The midwest princess herself, Chappell Roan, has made her debut Lollapalooza performance an unforgettable one that brought an estimated 90,000 attendees. The sea of pink bedazzled cowboy hats and boots that adorned the audience was a testament to the magnetic allure of the 26-year-old popstar. On Thursday, August 1, Roan etched her name into Lolla history by potentially attracting the biggest crowd the iconic festival has ever seen, creating a truly magical and tear-jerking moment for anyone fortunate enough to witness it.
Roan’s meteoric rise to fame has been nothing short of spectacular. Since releasing her latest single “Good Luck, Babe!” in April, she has broken into the mainstream pop music charts, becoming the most talked-about artist of the weekend.
Dubbed the “midwest princess,” Roan is renowned for her unique blend of 1980s synth and 2000s pop-inspired music. Her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, has skyrocketed in popularity, especially after she opened for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour.
Roan is also known for her signature long red hair and on-stage drag queen persona, frequently switching themes and outfits for each show.
At Lolla, the queer popstar adopted a fitness-inspired theme, donning a blue and pink wrestling outfit adorned with stars and black fringes, complete with a matching Lucha Libre mask. This bold and vibrant costume choice not only showcased her creativity and flair for her camp-esque approaches, but also reinforced her commitment to delivering an unforgettable performance. Roan was surrounded by athletes and bodybuilders lifting weights.
Photography Credit: Alina Pawl-Castanoñ
The set kicked off with her infectious pop anthem “Femininomenon,” a danceable track that immediately electrified the crowd. As the glimmering vocals of the song filled the air, the audience erupted, passionately singing along to the catchy chorus: “Hit it like rom-pom-pom-pom / Get it hot like Papa John / Make a bitch go on and on / It's a femininomenon.”
The Lollapalooza performance was made even more memorable by the presence of bodybuilder Victoria Burmester, a member of Chicago's iconic Quads Gym. Burmester lifted weights and showcased her competition poses. Her powerful presence added an extra layer of intensity to the already electrifying show.
Reflecting on the experience, Burmester shared, “To be in proximity to these women who are killing it and being with these strong women on that one stage was very meaningful to me. Just bearing witness to that was really, really great.” Her words echoed the empowering atmosphere that Roan created, where strength – both physical and emotional – was celebrated in every form.
Roan’s setlist was a well-curated mix of her biggest hits and fan favorites from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Among the many highlights was her electrifying performance of “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” a track that had the crowd roaring with excitement. The song's shimmering synths and house beats created a magnetic energy that resonated throughout the literal entire festival ground. Roan’s magnetic stage presence captivated everyone, transforming the performance into a spectacular display of glamor and camp that resembled a vibrant drag show. Fireworks and pyro ignited the stage. The campiness of the performance, combined with the song's playful lyricism, made it a standout moment that left the audience screaming, crying and dancing.
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Then came her iconic dance number “HOT TO GO!,” which was nothing short of modern pop perfection. The track's catchy and campy vibe had everyone in the crowd moving in unison, showcasing just how much of an impact Roan has made on her fans. Before she even had a chance to explain the dance, the audience was already ahead of her, performing the choreography flawlessly. Roan was born for the stage.
“Casual” is a ballad that cuts to the heart of complicated relationships, as Roan excoriates a partner who refuses to acknowledge the depth of their connection. Her voice, rich with emotion, captured the pain and confusion of navigating a relationship that hovers between casual and something more. The crowd fell silent as she bellowed, “Knee deep in the passenger seat and you're eating me out / Is it casual now?” The line, raw and unflinchingly honest, struck a chord as she recalled intimate, romantic moments that blurred the lines of what was supposed to be a casual fling.
In the middle of her set, Roan looks directly at the camera and says, “I dedicate this song to my ex, who was bragging that they dated me at the bar in my hometown. This is a message for your fiancé; you should break up.”
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Roan's performance of “Red Wine Supernova” at Lolla was a masterclass in flirtation and sensuality, a moment where her star power truly shone. Roan thrives when she’s singing freely about sex and desire, and this track was no exception. The song’s seductive melody paired with her sultry vocals created an intoxicating atmosphere that had the crowd fully entranced.
Intimacy is woven into every aspect of Roan’s music, and “Red Wine Supernova” exemplifies her ability to blend humor, passion and pleasure into her lyrics. As she performed, these themes came to life, hitting the audience with unfiltered energy that made it impossible not to sing along. A highlight of the performance was when she effortlessly broke into her iconic kick dance, a signature move that has become synonymous with her live shows. As she sang the playful lyrics, “I heard you like magic / I've got a wand and a rabbit,” Roan embodied the track’s flirtatious nature, captivating everyone with her charm and charisma.
Roan ended her Lolla set on a high note, delivering iconic closers “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club” with the kind of passion and energy that left the crowd exhilarated. Seamlessly weaving together the sounds of disco, country and 90s pop, Roan crafted a performance that was both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
With each note of “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club,” Roan embodied sexual liberation, free of the constraints of performative gender norms. These final songs were declarations of independence and empowerment. Her ballads of heartbreak, love and raw confessionals struck deep, resonating with the thousands of fans who were crying, dancing and clutching their pink cowboy hats.
As the sun set on that unforgettable Thursday, it was clear that Roan had not just performed at Lollapalooza; she had made history. Her debut performance will be remembered as a landmark event, a moment when the midwest princess became the queen of the midwest. For those who were there, it was a fairy tale come to life, a magical day filled with music, emotion and the undeniable charm of Roan.
