By Jerome Bradford
MINNEAPOLIS- People often think of Carly Rae Jepsen as the “Call Me Maybe” girl. The song was catchy and had a funny video in which the guy ends up giving his number to one of her guy friends. However, Carley is more than just a pop star. I was pleasantly surprised when my husband told me she was playing Minneapolis for Pride.
The concert was at the Armory. The building was originally home to the Lakers when they originally played in Minneapolis. It was used as a parking garage for a couple of years.
Carly Rae Jepsen opened the show with the song “No Drug like Me,” which is an uptempo groove dance song that got the crowd moving. The energy in the room was excellent. Carly has an extensive catalog of songs.
Carly also knows how to command a stage in a very organic way that resonates with people. This was on display during the performance of the song “ Julian” which shows her strong storytelling skills about lost love. Carly told the crowd the song was about a whirlwind romance with a guy she meet that ended bittersweet. The lyrics include “I’ll be Whispering, ‘Julien’ (Julien, Julien) Through the last breath that I breathe (Julien)” which is an amazing and powerful lyric.
Carly performed her new song “Western Wind” which trades in the synth-pop dance music I would crank in L.A. for easy listening that you could play on the beaches of California by a bonfire. This may perhaps be the start of Carley Rey Jepsen making a mellow album. Many female singers have done this of late. However, Carly has a unique way of making any genre she touches feel organic and special.
Carly also had a way of making the band and her background singers feel like part of the show and putting the spotlight on them. During her song “Boy Problems,” Carly would take to interact and dance with the crowds on the opposites sides of the stage while the backup singer stepped off the platform and moved to center stage. She would also dance alongside the guitarist or saxophonist during a solo.
The song “Automatically in Love” was performed live in concert for the first time. The song is an upbeat slow jam about an instant connection. The crowd showed their appreciation by singing along.
Carly touched on the importance of the pride celebration. This was very fitting because Carly is a queer icon and most straight people assume she is the “Call Me Maybe” girl. She exists in the underground in many ways just like some of the greatest groups in the movement. Her videos can also be campy, fun, heartbreaking or sexy like some aspects of queer performers or stories.
Carly proves her staying power over the years. She has done collaborations with artists such as well-known artist Justin Bieber to underground eclectic Avant R&B act such as Blood Orange. The unique state of connection between Carly and her fans has been very special. She deserves to be put on a list of not just queer influences but amazing artists. I have followed her for years and she proves that not all pop stars have to be super glamorous and that pop music can be complex and Avant guard.
