CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT OUTLOUD AT WEHO PRIDE 2023
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA- In a mesmerizing display of raw authenticity and musical prowess, enigmatic masked cowboy, Orville Peck, lit up the stage at Outloud for West Hollywood Pride, leaving no heart untouched and no boot untapped.
Peck, donned in his signature fringed mask, leveraged the high-energy atmosphere of Outloud to add to his ever-expanding narrative of breaking the barriers within the traditionally conservative country music scene. In a genre whose roots are steeped in heteronormative stories of blue-collar love and heartbreak, Peck fearlessly etches a new path, one that widens the reach of country to encapsulate the LGBTQ+ experience in a way few have dared before.
Peck’s choice of songs was a deliberate showcase of his commitment to this mission. The haunting “Lafayette” – a tale of love and longing – was a haunting addition to his set. The poignant “The Curse of the Blackened Eye,” a song that challenges the idea of traditional masculinity with its emotional vulnerability, was a bold statement of defiance against the status quo.
The audience was left in awe as the opening chords of “Dead of Night” echoed around the venue. The song is a triumph of queer storytelling in country music, delving into the feelings of isolation and outsiderdom that can accompany queer existence, particularly in rural settings.
However, it was Peck’s audacious cover of Lady Gaga’s anthem, “Born This Way,” that was the absolute showstopper. By adapting this global pop sensation into a soulful country rendition, Peck bridged the worlds of pop and country, and the diverse spectrums of the LGBTQ+ community, under one roof. The audience sang along with heartfelt enthusiasm, highlighting the universality of the struggle and acceptance the song embodies.
The closing number, “All I Can Say,” was a perfect wrap-up to an evening of emotive storytelling. Peck’s voice – rugged, yet filled with a raw vulnerability – left a resonating echo long after the music stopped.
Through his art, Orville Peck is making an impact far beyond just his audience numbers. By successfully bringing his queer experience to the forefront of his music, he’s etching out a path for future LGBTQ+ country artists to tread, and showing the world that the future of country music is diverse, inclusive, and beautifully complex. It’s not just about representation; it’s about reclamation and an exploration of a wider array of stories that need to be told.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT OUTLOUD AT WEHO PRIDE 2023
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CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT OUTLOUD AT WEHO PRIDE 2023
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CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT OUTLOUD AT WEHO PRIDE 2023
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