On Thursday night time in Brooklyn, all of the younger rock followers have been tucked beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge watching Turnstile’s new album launch present. On Saturday, swarms of Gen Zers got here to see Olivia Rodrigo headline Governors Ball in Queens. I can’t attest to how a lot overlap there was within the crowds, however even when the audiences have been diametrically totally different, the message was comparable: guitar music is alive with the youngsters.
Rodrigo doesn’t fall into the identical class as Turnstile, in fact, nor would many argue she’s the inheritor to Gov Ball rock alumni like The Killers, The Strokes, or Jack White. Her efficiency was arguably nearer to them, nevertheless, than Lizzo, Billie Eilish, or different pop acts who’ve topped the fest’s invoice.
Headlining her first main US competition and the primary of the new-gen “pop girlies” to be booked in such a slot (Sabrina Carpenter headlined Outdoors Lands 2024, however as a fill-in for Tyler, the Creator after her spring/summer time “Espresso” explosion), the Bitter celebrity exemplified the fashionable type of the competition headliner. She’s booked numerous comparable spots world wide all summer time, from Lollapalooza to Glastonbury. Whereas it’s not the form of billing that portends an evening of head-banging, old-heads disgruntled at the lack of rock acts closing out multi-genre festivals have motive to be inspired.
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The place your typical pop headline will deliver elaborate stage constructions and/or intricate dance routines, Rodrigo introduced a full band and pyro. Her set mirrored any variety of basic rock acts: two ramps on both aspect of the stage, and a runway into the group. On “love is embarrassing,” she was joined by her two guitarists and bassist on the entrance, they usually traded off taking put up on these ramps, working about and screaming in direction of the hyped-up crowd.
Sure, it was all fairly choreographed, however loads of rock bands have the identical pre-determined positions. Apart from, as a nominal pop star placing on rock aesthetics, Rodrigo leaning into this straightforward but trademark iconography nonetheless earns respect.
Olivia Rodrigo, photograph by Ben Kaye
And as a rock star, Rodrigo ate. Crawling in direction of her guitarist on “fairly isn’t fairly,” basking within the solo; strapping on an axe herself throughout opener “obsessed” as fireworks exploded behind her. When she got here out for the encore with “brutal,” it become a steel present, all pummeling riffs and screens stuffed with flames.
She ate as a pop star, too, to be honest. Her banter was candy and honest (“I kinda consider my life as earlier than and after this music, which is kinda loopy,” she stated earlier than “drivers license”), and softer turns like “traitor” noticed her taking heart stage with an acoustic guitar.
The large second for older attendees was the arrival of David Byrne towards the top of the principle set. Wearing crimson overalls to match Rodrigo’s personal two-piece look, the New York Metropolis icon and the younger starlet did a duet of Speaking Heads’ “Burning Down the Home.” She clearly was getting a kick out of the kooky, Byrne-ian choreo, and even when a big portion of close by youth was confused by the elder musician’s presence, all of it added to Rodrigo’s bona fides.
The lasting impression was that of a rock musician — extra No Doubt Gwen Stefani than Love. Angel. Music. Child. Nobody goes to confuse Rodrigo with Joan Jett or Karen O or a Deal sibling, however maybe she’s not far off from a Hayley Williams. Williams, by the way, made a visitor look at that Turnstile present on Thursday. And whereas we’re speaking about it, Rodrigo had The Breeders open for her earlier four-night headlining stint at Madison Sq. Backyard. That type of nod to different rock canon exhibits Rodrigo is not only borrowing rock aesthetics — she’s actively curating a rock-forward expertise for her followers.
For an older era of followers, possibly seeing Olivia Rodrigo headlining so many payments this yr is one other signal of the panorama shifting away from the competition expertise they grew up on. That’s not invalid, however in a time when Turnstile is being championed for turning children onto guitar music once more, then an act like Olivia Rodrigo bringing her pop model of rock to the plenty like this deserves flowers as properly.
Perhaps in one other era, the most important competition rock headliners will likely be owing their inspiration to her — the pop star who carried out like a rock star.
See a full photograph gallery of Olivia Rodrigo’s Governors Ball headlining efficiency beneath.
