The Importance of Charli XCX
photo courtesy of @charli_xcx Instagram
“Boom, clap” - direct quote from our hearts after enjoying a lively evening of Charli XCX. Last weekend, University Union kissed us on the forehead and said “here, as a treat” before placing Charli XCX’s radiant presence and commanding talent into our withered, beaten-down hands.
The event began with Charli sitting down with Syracuse student Jordan Pegues to discuss everything from her musical influences to her dream non-musical career (she wants to be an IKEA window dresser, duh). Charli was warm, poised, and came bearing advice for all the music industry wannabes in attendance; she emphasized the importance of a strong work ethic, having something distinct and meaningful to say as an artist, and being extremely cautious when signing a contract. It was all very “big sister tells it like it is and shows us the ropes of a cruel world” vibes.
Charli also touched on her incredible social media approach where she has an activist take over her account every week so that they can educate her and be uplifted by her fans. Basically, she just keeps getting cooler.
As you may have deduced, ~Charli XCX~ is a stage name! When asked how using a stage name has affected her identity as an artist, Charli told us that the person she is when performing is not a character or even an extension of herself; it is truly herself. There is no separation between “Charli XCX” and Charlotte Aitchison because they are both fully her authentic self.
The concert was a pre-recorded, entirely solo affair. Charli sang and danced to instruments we couldn’t see, alone on a big stage and owning every bit of it with her confidence and stage presence. She performed “Spinning,” “I Love It,” “Gone,” “Boys,” “1999,” and “Boom Clap.” Let’s talk about the highlights (as if literally the whole thing wasn’t a highlight).
“Spinning” gave her audience a sense of what a virtual Charli XCX concert looks like. Charli explained that she has been able to use staging and atmosphere to make her virtual concerts feel as truthful and powerful as possible, and she told us that, crowd or no crowd, she will always lose herself on stage. That was wonderfully evident in her performance from start to finish. The production value was in full force with lots of lights creating the atmosphere and an ever-changing screen behind Charli. The concert vibes were all there, while interestingly, Charli was completely alone onstage for the duration, not a band member or loose backup dancer in sight.
Whether this decision was an artistic choice or COVID-based, it didn’t hinder the performance in any way because of Charli’s unreal (yet very real) confidence. “I Love It” gave us more ambiance, especially in the bridge when the stage was suddenly washed by blue light. Chills. Fucking CHILLS.
During “Gone,” we really got to enjoy Charli’s strong, immaculate voice. Her pipes absolutely brought down the house. The sickest transition of the night award undoubtedly goes to the one that led us into Boys, moving into a more carefree song and changing the lights from blue to pink to match. This fun funky club energy continued through “1999,” taking us to her last song-- transporting us to a middle school movie theater watching The Fault In Our Stars (ugh, simpler times)--Boom Clap. At one point, Charli looked straight into the camera like she knew exactly how good this song is and knew how happy we were to hear it and she was coyly saying “you’re welcome” with her eyes.
It was glorious. We will close with Charli’s sagest advice of the night, and words to live by: go to therapy.