The Glasgow Royal Concert hall proved to be a fitting venue for Christine and the Queens who starred in a fantastically choreographed performance touring her new album Chris in front of over 2,000 Scottish fans.
Releasing her debut album Chaleur Humaine originally in French before re-release it in English in 2014, Chris’s international appeal has grown with each of her studio releases achieving commercial and critical success.
Chris’s popularity has also gained a cult following due to her androgynous, gender eliminating image which is encapsulated within many of her songs. A following which saw a fanbase from all walks of life take to the Royal Concert Hall with families, children, teenagers, and older fans visible throughout the venue.
As a relative amateur to touring, Chris managed to own the stage looking like a seasoned veteran, wowing the Glasgow crowd with slick choreography and bursts of colour. Acknowledging that the Royal Concert Hall is a venue synonymously associated with classical music, the crowd unleashes a roar as Chris tells them that she’s going to ‘twist this image, just for tonight.’
With a wide array of genres clashed together throughout her two albums, the crowd were able to dance the night away to disco beats, and funky synth lines from her backing band. However, in between songs Chris took short breaks to speak to the crowd asking if “Everything was okay for you? Is the temperature okay, Is anyone hungry or thirsty?” Her presence on the stage was unique and at times when no music was playing you would mistake Chris’ dialogue for that of a stand-up comedian or a public speaker.
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The crowd continued to interact throughout the entire concert as they were treated to a near two-hour set, with every song from the album Chris and a handful of songs from Chaleur Humaine played, including her breakout international hit Tilted. A special acapella version of French song Nuit 17 a 52 was mashed up with Michael Jackson’s hit Man in the Mirror to which the crowd sang along almost drowning out Chris’s voice.
With the evening closing out, Chris had one final surprise for the Glaswegian crowd for her encore as she exited stage left and re-entered the fray in the middle of the standing section of the crowd along with her backing dancers. A final couple of hits was concluded with a final chat with the crowd, with a member of the audience taking his chance to yell out “I fancy you Chris” which was met with raucous laughter and applause. Chris smiled and retorted “I fancy you too.”
At such an early stage in her career and aged only 30, it’s clear to see that Christine and the Queens is set to become a growing name across the popular music scene worldwide. A brilliant mix of choreographed dancing, funky synth pop and colourful visuals ensures that her live show is not one to be missed for fans of all ages. The performance managed to keep the Glaswegian crowd enthralled throughout the evening, ensuring normal order at the Royal Concert Hall was restored.
All photos: Gaëlle Beri.
