Charli xcx Taps Chappell Roan & PinkPantheress at Sold Out Kia Forum in LA
Last night at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Charli XCX’s performance was nothing short of a chaotic, glittering, perfectly executed fever dream. It was the first of two nights in the city on her Music, Fashion, Film tour, and walking through security felt like the party had finally left the group chat and spilled into the arena. Immediately upon arrival, a collision of pure club excess, pop spectacle, and fashion-week energy washed over the crowd.
She opened with “Rock Music,” the defining mission statement of this era, and it was met with a jaw-dropping set to match. From the shifting lights to the industrial edges, I was not just fully immersed in her world; I was in awe. The production design went above and beyond: fashion silhouettes, classic film-esque lighting cues, and a literal runway to strut up and down on.
Her set moved fluidly between new releases and her earlier catalog. “Wink Wink,” “Card Declined,” “Persona,” and “I’m Afraid” all took on new life live, with Charli effortlessly stalking the stage while the crowd didn’t remove their eyes for a second. Her backup dancers doubled as an entourage, capturing the communal, club-kid spirit of her genre and making the night feel like a private party—despite the 18,000-capacity room.
Mid-set, Chappell Roan appeared for “Boom Clap,” sparking a massive uproar and leaving concertgoers stunned. The 2014 hit felt both brand-new and nostalgic as two of pop’s favorite divas fed off the crowd’s collective screams. Just when it seemed the crowd couldn’t get any louder, PinkPantheress joined for a performance of “Stateside,” bringing her signature energy and poise to the runway. The final surprise came when The Dare appeared out of nowhere behind a turntable for “Guess,” moments before hundreds of pairs of underwear launched into the audience as makeshift confetti. From start to finish, the show was just like Charli herself: unbelievably remarkable and impossible to forget.
Review & Photos by: Jenna Houchin