CONCERT CAPSULE: ROLE MODEL
Credit of Interscope Records and Polydor Records. Protected under fair use.
A review of Shakira's spectacular "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour" at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
This past February, I realized I wasn’t in Kansas anymore when I clicked my heels three times and ended up at the No Place Like Tours’ opening night, in Phoenix, Arizona.
This was the opening show of ROLEMODEL’s tour for his newest album, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), and boy was it a blast. I have been to many of his shows on previous tours, but this one is a personal favorite of mine.
ROLEMODEL and his team do a fantastic job of creating a very fun and lighthearted concert environment. From his stage presence to the selection of the perfect opener (shoutout the queen, Debbii Dawson!!), and the VIP fan experience to the crowd’s energy, it’s almost a promise that you’ll have the best night of your life.
His presence draws you in from the moment he steps on the stage, and prompts you to jump up and down, engaging in some of your silliest dance moves you never thought you’d let leave your bedroom, but at his concerts, they come out easily. His charisma and personality, which seem anything but shy and a little corny over social media, shine under the stage lights. As a fan in the audience, you find yourself hanging on every word he sings-in awe of every lyric-swooning as he makes eye contact with you in the crowd, and laughing at every bit, and the inside joke he shares with you.
As an OG fan of his, there was no way I was going to the show without participating in the VIP experience. The package consisted of a blue fangirl hat, fangirl enamel pin, black tote bag, and a ROLEMODEL-themed disposable camera. Besides the merch, you get an earlier entry (increasing your chances to be a barricade baddie), and a chance to shop the merch table early!
While this hasn’t been the norm for any other show, he did come out on stage for a few minutes to talk with the VIP crowd. Since Phoenix is the only show that has received this experience, it definitely added to the overall experience. (Basically, Phoenix stays winning!)
As he performs his biggest song off of his deluxe album Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), called ‘Sally When The Wine Runs Out’ at every show so far (except for Phoenix...so maybe I take back my last statement of Phoenix winning) he’s invited a special guest, or fan on stage during the last chorus of the song to dance, and jump around with him. This is such a cool way to engage with the crowd and make the experience even more hype and exciting for the audience. I guess Phoenix can update their enemies list and add ROLEMODEL.
No matter the experience offered as a ROLEMODEL fan I know I will always leave satisfied with my night. He and his team put together a night to remember every tour. It’s something I expect and can count on at each show. I will forever take with me the confidence ROLEMODEL teaches us to have with his presence as a performer, and the way he is unapologetically himself on stage. This is not the last time I will be at No Place Like Tour; with an experience and an environment this welcoming, contagious, and lively, it’s hard to stay away.
Photo of Kaitlin McKay at the No Place Like Tours’ opening night in Phoenix, Arizona
So until the next show, I’ll be clicking my heels and counting down the days, because when it comes to a ROLEMODEL show, there’s no place like home.
Listen to Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) here.
