Carly Rae Jepsen throws dance party with Dedicated Tour, rings in Pride Weekend

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By m_x_ 2 Jul 2019, 12:54pm

by Chloe Catajan

To anyone that's ever been called too loud, too colorful, or too emotional: Carly Rae Jepsen assures that “there's no such thing as being too much."

Jepsen reminded fans of that before performing her latest single, “Too Much," in San Francisco last Friday. Fresh into The Dedicated Tour, the Canadian singer-songwriter delivered a show that amplified her uplifting pop powers as much as it celebrated her new album. Disco lights, colorful outfits, and a high-spirited stage presence were just some of Jepsen's own forms of self-expression that encouraged fans to embrace every feeling and every bit of their “too much-ness."

Flanked by a live band and two backup dancers, Jepsen rolled out every song with exhilarating impact. She performed most songs off Dedicated as well as party-starting favorites from previous releases. “No Drug Like Me" started the show in a synth-induced euphoria, which was immediately changed up by the booming melodies of “Emotion" and “Run Away With Me." “Call Me Maybe" appeared early in the set also, its colossal drum fills firing up Jepsen's breakthrough single to maximum volume.

Jepsen's performance brought out the blissful highs of love, even when her lyrics covered the real parts. “I'll Be Your Girl" combined a fierce bassline and flirty melody to explore feelings of jealousy, while “Party For One" put a sweet spin on letting go and learning self-love. Whatever the context, Jepsen had an empowering effect on the crowd. Every instance called for a reason to dance and “Cut To The Feeling" rounded it all out perfectly.

For the closing song, Jepsen greeted fans a Happy Pride and invited dancer Mark Kanemura onstage. Confetti cannons went off as Kanemura (wearing a Pride flag cape a la his viral video featuring Jepsen's single) tossed rainbow wigs into the crowd, sending many into one last dancing spree to ring in Pride weekend.

St. Lucia and Mansionair opened the show with equally elevating sets.

New York's St. Lucia, led by Jean-Philip Grobler, took the early crowd through a thrilling rush of electropop. Performing as a quintet, the band's onstage energy was in sync and infectious; their sound, supercharged by colorful synths and spacious drums. Their setlist included numerous fan favorites, such as “China Shop," “Elevate," and “Dancing On Glass."

Australian trio Mansionair gave indie rock an ambient glow—their lush synthscapes and soft vocals acting as a cloudy lacquer over their driving rhythms. It was a combination that gave the band an enigmatic feel, emphasized by their lowlit set. Mansionair played mostly songs off its 2019 release, Shadowboxer, including “We Could Leave," “Falling," and “Astronaut (Something About Your Love)."