Poppy and PVRIS filled First Ave with Genre Fluid Performances
Review by Scott Cornell - Photos by Grant Ivie
Pom Pom Squad kicked off the electrifying night of live music at First Avenue, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the audience. The quartet, predominantly female, radiated a palpable camaraderie on stage as they delved into a captivating 10-song set. Their performance was punctuated with a memorable finale as the frontwoman concluded the set by joyfully tossing roses into the appreciative crowd, leaving an indelible impression.
Following this impressive start, the stage was transformed into a lush, foliage-filled setting, setting the tone for the enigmatic co-headliners, Paris, stylized as PVRIS. The air was charged with anticipation, and the fans serenaded the trio throughout their remarkable 20-song set. With a rhythm-driven, electronically infused sound, PVRIS had the crowd fully engaged. The only hiccup of the night occurred during the closing number, "Goddess," when both of the frontwoman Lynn Gunn's microphones went dead. However, the issue was swiftly resolved with the assistance of vigilant stagehands.
The choice of the female-fronted openers perfectly complemented the unique sound and vibe that Poppy brings to the stage. Each act embraced genre fluidity in their own way, creating an uncanny and delightful auditory experience.
As the anticipation reached its peak, Poppy graced the stage with her signature flair. Beginning with a characteristically Poppy-esque prayer, the atmosphere became charged with excitement. A small mosh pit erupted during "BLOODMONEY," and it was rejuvenated during the heaviest segments of Poppy's performance when it wasn't being used as a dance floor.
The guitarist and drummer, shrouded in all-black attire and identity-obscuring masks, held their positions with stoic dedication. In stark contrast, Poppy herself, adorned in a striking blue sequined dress, stood as the sole splash of color amidst the monochromatic gear and set design.
Throughout the performance, Poppy seamlessly delivered a mix of hits and fan favorites spanning her extensive five-album discography, including recent releases like "Church Outfit" and "Knockoff." Her stage presence was a captivating juxtaposition of the animatronic and animated, perfectly in line with her android persona, which added an element of playful yet rigid performance art to the show.
Poppy relied extensively on choreographed backing visuals to communicate with the crowd, only occasionally deviating from her scripted performance. Her music traversed diverse genres, blending elements of Pop, Rock, Thrash, Nu-Metal, Electronic, and Industrial, creating a sonic palette that resonated with a broad spectrum of fans. It was virtually impossible to discern a "typical" Poppy fan in the diverse crowd of all ages that filled the venue for this all-ages show.
The trio wasted no time exiting the stage after their explosive closing number, "I Disagree," before the crowd erupted into chants of "Poppy" for an encore. Answering their fans' fervor, Poppy and her band returned for one last electrifying performance, concluding the unforgettable night with the thrash-heavy and whimsical "Concrete."
In the end, the concert was a mesmerizing journey through a spectrum of emotions, sounds, and visuals, a testament to the diverse talents of Pom Pom Squad, PVRIS, and the enigmatic Poppy herself. It was a night that would surely resonate with fans of all ages, leaving an enduring memory of a truly exceptional live music experience at First Avenue.
