It comes as no surprise that singer Rebecca Black is currently taking the alternative pop and music scene by storm. After her 2011 one-hit phenomenon debut single, “Friday,” which was met with both criticism and viral success; Rebecca Black is making a vigorous return to music. Though she never fully stopped creating music since her debut, her redefined and freshly polished sound is definitely a huge step up from the early stardom days of “Friday.” Her new take on music matches the likes of fellow artists such as Charli XCX, shygirl and Dorian Electra.
Stopping by Chicago’s Outset in support of her latest album release, SALVATION, I wasn’t too shocked to hear that her show was completely sold out. This is Black’s first of three Chicago shows scheduled for this year that includes an opening set at the United Center for Katy Perry in May as well as Lollapalooza in August! She’s clearly on a roll with her ongoing tour and fans old and new are absolutely devouring her new music.
Supporting Black on her SALVATION tour was the Canadian electronic duo Blue Hawaii. They performed an electrifying set to a highly engaged crowd that immediately matched their chaotic energy. Though it was rather short, it seemed that they gained at least a few dozen new fans from their chaotic yet incredible set as their merch flew off the shelves immediately after their set. I was very impressed and couldn’t help but compare them to electronic duo Magdalena Bay, who are also in the same realm of exuberant pop music music as Black.
The hype grew strong as the lights went down for the main event. With a dramatic entrance, Black trailed behind her dancers on stage as she was wrapped up in a white veil like a mummy. Her dancers pranced around her slowly unwrapping her as she performed “Tears In My Pocket.” After her unravelling the room was blasted with a rush of adrenaline as she broke out into full blown choreography to her song “TRUST!” that was so impressively coordinated and mesmerizing I almost forgot we were at such a tiny venue and not an arena.
I immediately knew at that moment that Rebecca Black had stepped out of her comfort zone and grown into the insanely talented artist she is now. The masses may still doubt her talent and even dismiss her since a great majority of people still associate her solely with “Friday,” however, it made my inner child grin so hard when “Friday” came on over the speakers, sending me through a time warp back to simpler times.
Black made her performance seem so effortless. Performing SALVATION in its entirety as well as a diverse mix of older songs sprinkled in; it definitely made for the perfect pop show. The dancing, strobes, high energy and the confidence she exuded on stage made me fall in love with her newer body of work. The SALVATION tour is just the tip of the iceberg for Rebecca Black as she has a jam packed year ahead of her that is sure to mold and define her as an artist.
All photos by Andrew Lagunas.