Chappel Roan @ Kalamazoo State Theatre - June 1st, 2024

After running a 5k, attending a graduation open house, and frantically rummaging through my closet for a “My Kink Is Karma” themed outfit, I pulled onto South Burdick Street and saw numerous people in red and black clothes similar to my own. Our color coordination could only mean one thing: We were all on our way to the Kalamazoo State Theatre to see Chappell Roan’s “The Midwest Princess Tour”!

After a stunning performance at Coachella 2024, an NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance, and opening acts for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour all over the U.S. it was no wonder that the sidewalks were full and the show was completely sold-out. However, these meticulously crafted outfits told me that many of the audience members knew Chappell long before her seemingly overnight success.

Whether the fans on either side of me had known her for years or mere days, it was clear that they couldn’t get enough of the latest queer pop icon, Chappell Roan. Upon my arrival, I was hoping to purchase a Midwest Princess t-shirt or hoodie to show my own support. As I attempted to find the end of the line, I realized that there were at least 80 people with the same idea as me, and they waited all the way down the hall and up to the mezzanine! I decided to get a drink instead, and loved the personal touch that the State Theatre added with a “My Drink is Karma” shirley temple.

The bartenders were efficient and patient as I waited to order a drink (non-alcoholic, of course). With a Redbull in one arm and my ticket in the other, a helpful usher directed me to my seat and I began feeling an energy like no other. This electric buzz of excitement was no doubt in anticipation of hearing Chappell Roan’s music live, but was added to by the history of the State Theatre itself, a building that is nearly 100-years-old and has hosted countless greats of music and comedy. While I was pretty high up in the theater, there isn’t a bad view in the house. Eyeing the gorgeous domed ceiling and lights around the stage, I settled in for my most anticipated concert of 2024.

Chappell is known for having local drag performers open for her shows, and they did not disappoint! Perry Dox (@okperryok) got the party started, Howdy Rowan and friends (@howdyrowan) got everyone singing and dancing, and the finale, Alex Suarez (@queenalexsuarez), stole the show. All of the ladies were talented and F-I-E-R-C-E!! While opening with drag is a Chappell Roan show requirement, it was extra fitting for the first day of Pride Month.

After the opening acts had left the stage, the wait for Chappell became more difficult than ever. I was a little nervous to be at the concert by myself, but the atmosphere of the State Theatre intertwined with the outgoing energy of Chappell’s fans, and I had some great chats with not one, not two, but three other concert-goers that were also seeing the show solo!

Plus, I kept myself busy with a story takeover on WIDR’s Instagram (@widrfm!!). Either way, the lights were down before I knew it. As the opening chords of “Femininomenon” sounded in the pink-hued space, the audience ROARED. Still, I was able to hear every word of the song and all the rest that followed it. There’s something so special about an audience knowing every word to a show, and it was obvious that Chappell’s album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, had been heavily listened to by everyone in the room.

Chappell Roan emerged in a pink leotard studded with rhinestones of the same color, black stars on the breasts, black straps, and black detailing. Accessories included pink fringe on each hip, black wrist cuffs, and a thick black choker with pink beads attached. A pair of pink cowgirl boots completed the look, but was complimented even further by her long, curly red hair and blue eyeshadow. In reference to the outfit, she made this sweet remark: “I feel so lucky to be able to wear this to work”.

Aside from the combined aesthetics of the theatre and outfit, the production for the Midwest Princess tour

featured many colorful lights and Chappell herself definitely used the space she was given. In addition to the iconic ‘Hot To Go’ dance that featured full audience participation, there were two parts of the night that really stuck out to me: the kindness of the people around me and Chappell’s opinion of Kalamazoo during the introduction of “Kaleidoscope”.

After expressing her gratitude to everyone for being there, she said the following about our special Midwestern city: “It’s (Kalamazoo’s) such a cute town, I didn’t really know what to expect when I came to it, but I was around yesterday and I went to a little karaoke bar, there was some blues being played in the park that I went to, I got some wine… it was so fun!” She finished by saying, “I love it here, it’s so beautiful.” Hopefully Chappell knows that she is welcome here anytime!

After playing a majority of the songs from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Roan closed with “My Kink Is Karma” and topped the show off with an encore featuring “California” and finally, “Pink Pony Club”. I was breathless and exhausted by the time Chappell made her last exit, almost dizzy with the joy of a wonderful concert at a beautiful venue.

I am so grateful to WIDR and the Kalamazoo State Theatre for the opportunity to attend Chappell Roan’s Midwest Princess Tour. While I enjoyed free admission to the show, I would have paid for my ticket any day! I look forward to more shows at the State Theatre, coming up soon.

The Kalamazoo State Theatre is bringing more exciting guests to their stage soon, including Steve-O on August 16th and Andy Grammer on October 25th. A full calendar of upcoming shows and events can be found here.

Written by Logen Crandall, WMU Alumni and former WIDR Program Director (2023-24)