Charli Xcx graced Manchester—or rather Bratchester—with her presence, on the first night of her UK tour. Charli’s Brat Tour is not just a concert; it’s a fully immersive experience. Charli’s ability to fill the arena with the chaotic, euphoric energy of hyperpop was nothing short of iconic.
365 Partygirl
Charli opened the night with the 365 remix featuring Shygirl, leaving no doubt as to why she’s dubbed PARTYGIRL. The Brat Tour felt like a clubbing odyssey, with each track exploring the various unspoken emotions tied to nightlife: confidence, love, loss, friendship, and family. Tracks like “Von dutch” and “Sympathy is a knife” brought the gritty, high-energy, while “So I” (a tribute to SOPHIE) struck an emotional chord, causing fans to light up the arena.
Taking a moment to reflect on her journey, Charli shared: “The first time I played in Manchester, I played the Deaf Insitute. Ten people were there, it was a huge crowd.” That reflection speaks volumes about her evolution as an artist. Once a cult favourite for a devoted few, Charli now commands arenas filled with an eclectic mix of longtime Angels and fresh fans. Whether you were early or late doesn’t matter— everyone’s invited to this neon green party.
party 4 u
Listening to Brat and experiencing it live felt like a release I didn’t know I needed. As a long time fan from Sucker, I’ve grown up to and witnessed Charli’s growth. Brat takes me back to 2020, when Charli released how i’m feeling now. When the world was at a standstill Charli brought the party to our bedrooms. Brat feels like the evolution of Charli’s intimate DIY lockdown era.
For many, Brat brought the club experience to those who might never set foot in one. The thumping beats, dizzying lights, outfit changes and an emotionally changed performance created a sense of collective release. Charli’s ability to blend catharsis with chaos is what makes Brat more than just an album— it’s a movement.
Brat Summer
Charli Xcx has been on an incredible run this year, emerging from the fringes of pop despite years of consistent releases and a major-label signing. The release of her sixth studio album Brat marked a turning point. Combined with the SWEAT tour with Troye Sivan— the gay son/thot daughter pairing—Summer 2024 will go down in history as Brat Summer. The iconic neon green, the viral Apple dance, alongside edits of Kamala Harris’ campaign turned Brat from an album into a cultural touchstone.
Let’s work it out on the remix
While Brat began as a solo project, it quickly evolved into something larger than just Charli herself. After releasing a handful of remixes with the Robyn& Yung Lean (360), Addison Rae & A.G. Cook (Von dutch), Lorde (Girl, so confusing), Billie Eilish (Guess) and Troye Sivan (Talk talk) Charli invited more people to the party. Brat and its completely different but also still brat, reimagines the original material with collaborators like Bon Iver, Caroline Polacheck, Tinashe, Kesha, and more. If you were unaware of Charli’s remixing game— now you know.
Brat wouldn’t be what it is without the internet— so it’s only right that the 360 music video featured Gen-Z icons like Alex Consani, Quen Blackwell, Rachel Sennott, Gabriette, and more. The album’s success is a testament to how Charli has pushed hyper pop beyond the fringe, reshaping the mainstream music landscape.
I Love It
Brat is the culmination. Of years of hard work, experimentation, and resilience. It’s the sound of an artist who found her groove while staying true to her roots. For longtime fans, like me, this era feels like vindication— the world is finally catching up to what we’ve known all along.
Charli Xcx is no longer the underground it-girl of pop. She’s a bona fide cultural force.
Leave a Reply