Chappell Roan delivered an electrifying pop performance at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee on Tuesday, October 1 as part of her completely sold-out headlining Midwest Princess Tour. The show marked her return to the stage after several canceled shows, and was her first appearance in Tennessee since her memorable set at Bonnaroo in June.
Fans were eagerly anticipating to see Roan since the tour went on sale and sold out within minutes, packing the venue to capacity for a night that will surely be remembered as a pivotal moment in her rising career, one that is destined for superstardom.
From the moment Roan stepped onto the stage, her magnetic stage presence was undeniable. Dressed in a camouflage Wrangler-brand dress that later came off and turned into a corset and booty shorts, Chappell Roan allowed her unique, unapologetic style to shine and commanded the capacity crowd’s attention, proving to be one of pop music’s most captivating live performers.
Her vocal talent and ability to engage the crowd were effortless, and it quickly became clear why she is one of today’s most sought-after singers and performers, thanks to her infectious music. Her authenticity as an artist is one of her greatest strengths, and it was on full display in Franklin.
Chappell Roan, who won Best New Artist at the 2024 MTV VMAs, highlighted her debut album, The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess, with energy-filled performances of “Femininomenon,” “Red Wine Supernova,” “My Kink Is Karma,” and more. A standout moment of the night was her performance of the fan-favorite viral hit “Hot To Go!,” which sparked a huge sing-along and dance party. It’s a track that could compare to a modern-day “YMCA.”
Roan’s seamless transitions between upbeat bangers and softer, more introspective moments kept the audience hanging on every word and note. She even performed the piano-driven track, “Kaleidoscope,” a song she said she “gets so close to pulling this song from the setlist every night because it’s just like I don’t need to be any more sad.”
She concluded her magical performance with a huge sing-along to the anthemic track “Pink Pony Club,” igniting a full-blown dance party that had the entire crowd on their feet, singing and dancing with all their energy.
The energy and joy that Chappell Roan brought to the open-air venue in Tennessee was unlike anything fans have ever witnessed and was truly unmatched and a force to be reckoned with.
The 26-year-old Missouri singer/songwriter further highlighted her strong support for the LGBTQ+ community with a 40-minute opening set by Coqueta, Aquamarine, and Miss Alexia Noelle, a trio of local Drag Queens, the very group that influenced her campy style.
The concert came just a few days after she canceled her two appearances at the All Things Go Music Festival in New York and Washington, DC. At the show, the viral superstar didn’t directly mention the cancellations or her struggles with fame, instead, she highlighted the queer community, expressing gratitude for their endless support and for allowing her to do her job.
“I know how hard it is to be queer in the Midwest and South. And I understand. And so, I’m very grateful that I can be here and show up — and clock into my job — and I just have to remind myself that this is why I do it… I can see you and feel you. I needed this so bad when I was 15. I felt so completely misunderstood and alone,” Roan stated.
The buzzed-about hitmaker continued, “I hope you know that you are wanted here, and welcome here, however you are. You are cherished, and you are loved. I’m gonna say it again, because I have a feeling that sometimes it’s hard to hear these things, or maybe you don’t hear them at all. But if you’re here, then you are loved, and you are cherished.”
Fans were thrilled to see Chappell Roan return to the stage and welcomed her back in a big way with a beyond sold-out concert that will not soon be forgotten. This tour may be the last chance for fans to see Roan in a more intimate setting, as she’s on track to perform in packed stadiums by 2025.
