The Bloom Tour @ Greek Theatre (10/30/18) // Show Review
article and photographs by Gomi Zhou
2016, back when I was still extremely confused about my sexuality and (to be fucking honest) just who I am as a person in general, Troye Sivan’s Suburbia Tour redefined the meaning of “home” for me. In that crowd full of glitter, rainbow and the best people, I felt safe and valid, despite the fact that 2016 ended up being an absolutely horrifying year for many marginalized communities.
Fast forward to 2018, Troye Sivan has transformed from being an emerging teenage alternative artist to a global pop sensation. For his long-time fans, his new album Bloom along with the singles such as “My My My!”, “Bloom” and “Dance To This” from earlier in the year are all surprisingly pop-oriented, and I was definitely among the worried group of fans. Based on my understanding of Troye Sivan’s musical style, it was really hard to imagine how he could possibly succeed in the current climate of pop. In addition, I had a fear that he had only chosen to opt for this mainstream genre simply because of the frenzy of pop rush within the young queer community that has emerged in recent years. His first album, Blue Neighbourhood, has such an important place in my heart and I would hate to once again lose a favorite artist to the meaningless chase of pop and fame.
Well, The Bloom Tour has proven me wrong.
Stepping off my ride, I saw several lines of young people wrapping around the Greek Theatre. “I like your jacket,” a boy with glitter makeup on his face said to me. Immediately I snapped back to 2016, a different time when I was still so afraid to express myself through styling my outfit. Yet everything felt so familiar, that this crowd of young queer people was still so kind and encouraging--just like how they were two years ago. Perhaps I expected a slightly different crowd, since Troye Sivan has completely switched up his musical genre and even his overarching style as an artist; instead, I was once again welcomed by the same loving energy but now from a slightly younger group of “lovely queer babies” (p.s. this is not to belittle any young queer people, I learned the phrase from a queer fashion show earlier this year referring to teenagers who had just came to terms their sexualities and it seems fitting to be used here).
Comforting. That’s how every Troye Sivan show feels like for both the artists and the audience. As the stage was being set up, people in the pit were already cheering for Carlie Hanson to come on as the first performer of the night. Only 18 years old, Carlie had already exceeded the expectations of many critics in the industry with her breakout synth-pop tracks such as “Only One” and “Mood”. Opening for a Greek Theatre show must be incredibly nerve-wracking for any teenage rising sensations, but Carlie’s performance was nothing but energetic and vibrant. As she struck up the stage, Carlie kept stepping over the speakers, running across the stage and leaning over to interact with fans from both sides--all without even skipping one beat. With zero shyness or hesitation, she kept her genuine smile and confident attitude from the start of her set all the way till she left the stage.
Kim Petras’ performance was definitely just as powerful as Carlie. Drenched in a bloody suit, Kim and her DJ walked out from the smokescreen. Performing her culty, mysterious Halloween EP and some of her classic pop tracks, the Greek turned into a giant party for the queer kids. Both Kim and Carlie’s interactions with the crowd were genuine and warming, despite the fact that most people came in to hear Troye. Supportive and loving, I was once again amazed by this young crowd of LGBTQ+ people.
By the time Troye got on stage, the show had officially sold out. As the lights went out, the theatre felt into a short second of silence before it was completely submerged by waves of screams. There he was, the pop prince of the gay community, dressed in his floaty, silk-like gown, walked out from the curtain. Accompanied by the calming intro of “Seventeen” and the dramatic spotlight shining upon him, Troye looked determined yet soothing. As the pre-chorus chimed in he headed toward backstage again, only to show up again standing on top of the twenty-feet tall platform when the first note of chorus dropped in the most dramatic way ever. Within just a few minutes, he had successfully proven to everybody inside the theatre that he is perfectly capable of illustrating his most original narrative through pop, that he had only bloomed to be better than ever.
My favorite part of any Troye Sivan show is still, the people. The supportive energy I had experienced from the two shows from both 2016 and 2018 has been unimaginable for both closeted me and the 19 years old me. Everyone was encouraged to be themselves, by some of the most hardworking and passionate young artists in today’s industry. Pop or alternative, it is important for all queer people to remember that as long as you stay true to yourself, the future can only get brighter from here
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