On Friday, March 21st, the House of Blues in Chicago became a haven for fans of metal, pop, and everything in-between as Poppy performed for a sold-out crowd. With her seamless blending of genres, Poppy’s They’re All Around Us Tour was a captivating ride through her multifaceted sound and stage presence.
All of the recent buzz about Poppy (a GRAMMY nomination this year for her song “Suffocate” with the band Knocked Loose and two Jimmy Kimmel Live! performances) put her on my radar and this show blew all of my expectations out of the water.
She is not just a singer; she’s an artist by every definition of the word.
Kumo 99 kicked off the night with a high-energy, rave-like performance. Their industrial electronic sound was packed with punk influence, which was evident in the fast-paced baselines and aggressive vocals. All of the lyrics were sung in Japanese, but that didn’t stop fans from feeding off their chaotic energy. Concert-goers were fist-pumping and opening up mosh pits throughout the entire set.
By the time Poppy took the stage, fans were primed for an unconventional show. Her fierce, unrelenting energy instantly connected with the audience, who were just as ready to get lost in the performance as she was to lead them on the journey.
Everything about the performance was intentional.
The wardrobe, the skits between songs, the digital effects, the choreographed movements… all of these elements worked together to give an otherworldly feel, almost like science fiction, to the show. The nearly two-hour-long set went above and beyond the typical concert.
The setlist was also a masterclass in pacing. Poppy skillfully alternated between moments of pure, unfiltered rage in tracks like “BLOODMONEY” and “the center’s falling out” to the softer, more vulnerable tones of “vital” and “surviving on defiance”. The stark contrast highlighted her ability to balance heavy, industrial moments with ethereal melodies, creating an ever-changing atmosphere throughout the show.
The night was filled with highlights, but a few moments truly stood out. “I Disagree” was a force of nature live, as Poppy’s intensity radiated throughout the room. “V.A.N.” also garnered a massive response, with the crowd screaming every word back to her. It was one of those magical moments where the raw power of her vocals and the crowd’s energy combined to create something truly unforgettable.
Right before Poppy entered the stage one last time for the evening, a skit was played on a large screen of a doll dressed like Poppy that said, “When we part, everything we shared together will be a memory.” This was a subtle reminder to the crowd that concerts are lived experiences that impact the artists as much as they do the crowd, and that they had one more chance to make the night memorable for everyone involved.
Poppy’s performance at the House of Blues in Chicago proved why she is one of the most exciting and unpredictable artists in the music world today. Whether fans came for the pop hooks, the metal riffs, or the artistry, Poppy’s show delivered on every front.
Photography by Alana Lopez
Share this article
or
Get music updates in your inbox