LOS ANGELES, CA- On August 14th, the Downtown LA venue and bar, the Moroccan Lounge, hosted Canadian artists Allie X and Bobi Andonov. Opener Bobi Andonov kicked off the night with an ardent performance which highlighted his impressive vocal range and open vulnerability. Andonov’s captivating stage persona swept the crowd off their feet with his stand out 2017 single, “Apartment”, ending his performance with a memorable show of passion and undeniable talent.
With the crowd anxious to see Allie X perform, I could feel the excitement growing as time passed. Finally, Allie arrived wearing a retro, little- black-dress paired with a bleach blonde bob styled in old Hollywood waves. Her self-proclaimed Mormon, school-girl, goth style stole the spotlight, creating an aura of confidence throughout the show from start to finish.
As Allie took the stage, the energy radiating from the stage in her presence was clear. Her playful, decadent voice showed the depth and dimension of what it means to be an artist in Los Angeles, especially in her song “Not That Bad In LA.” The special instance of hearing an artist reflect on their experience in a city of music and show business was not lost on the audience. As she moved into the catchy, upbeat melody of her single “Casanova,” a fan exclaimed from the audience, “Allie sounds even better in person! I didn’t know that was possible.”
The performance and the atmosphere were a celebration of openness and the beautiful richness of the queer community in Los Angeles, with many dedicated, young queer folks packing the room and watching with rapt attention until the end of Allie’s set. Allie mentioned that drag is an integral part of her performance. To her, the inherent exaggeration of drag was an important way to personify the message of challenging archetypes within her records. To watch an authentic, unapologetic recognition and homage to the importance of the contributions of LA’s queer community to the arts was breathtaking.
After the show, Allie took the time to meet her fans, offering photos and making small talk with the attendees. Her genuine commitment to connect with her audience showed in her willingness to open up about the lessons she had learned from the industry and the honest answers she provided. She specifically highlighted the importance of taking care of yourself while creating and selling music, and that going in with your eyes wide open can help you be the one in the driver’s seat at all times during a musical career.
It became clear that a female collaboration was definitely on Allie’s mind. When asked who she would form a girl group with if given the chance, Allie answered Charlie XCX and Grimes, and when prompted to see who she would ideally collaborate with, she said her friend, Tove Lo. To the shock and delight of everyone, Tove Lo attended the concert and was in the audience as her friend performed on stage.
Allie’s latest project, Super Sunset, will be released this coming fall, an announcement which garnered an ecstatic applause from Allie’s audience and offered a perfect capstone to a night of phenomenal vocals and unquestionable talent.
Follow Allie X on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
**********************
