TVD Live Shots:
Charli XCX, BØRNS,
and Bleachers at the
Fox Theater, 7/23

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-10

I am going to get a tremendous amount of shit from my heavy metal friends for this one, but who really cares. I have a thing for Charli XCX. Not only because she’s incredibly attractive (I think it’s ok to say that because my wife has a crush on Mason Jennings), but more importantly because she’s got attitude and substance. Out of all the generic pop stars out there Charli has a sort of punk rock I don’t give a f**k mindset that I think is missing from much of the crap cluttering up the last of the available airwaves.

She reminds me of a very polished Joan Jett. On top of that she has a full band behind her that really kicks ass. When I heard that she was coming to the Fox Theater in Oakland I had to be there to photograph what was sure to be an epic pop show. I didn’t really care who was opening the show that night as I just really wanted to see Charli, but then BØRNS hit the stage and completely blew me away.

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-21

After a bit of research, I discovered that these guys are on Interscope and have a pretty good buzz behind them based on one of their songs being featured in a car commercial. The song is called “Electric Love” and the only bad thing about it is that apparently Taylor Swift tweeted about it (by the way that’s not a selling point to your target audience).

Bleachers were a pretty good added bonus as well. I’d never seen them either before and they rounded out the bill quite well. Jack Antonoff is one hell of a performer and had one of the most elaborate stage set ups I’ve ever seen at the Fox. It was so goddamn big that I could barely get any shots of the rest of the band from the photo pit.

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-14

Finally Charli XCX took the stage. She came out and completely owned this entire crowd. While I didn’t exactly get the enormous toy guitar, everything else about her performance was pretty spectacular. Her rebellious school girl persona aligns perfectly with the sort of heroin-chic vibe she has going on, but more importantly it was backed up by some pretty strong vocals. Not something you see at too many pop shows anymore outside of a Pink show.

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-18

Highlights from the set included “Breaking Up,” “London Queen,” and of course the pop masterpiece “Break the Rules.” There was also a spirited version of Icona Pop’s international smash “I Love It” which features Charli that I used to hate until I heard it performed by her band live.

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-4

Oh, and Charli’s record Sucker is now available on vinyl and of course I picked it up. It sits proudly on my record shelf between Iron Maiden and Slayer. Now if only there could be a collaboration…

BLEACHERS

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-5

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-6

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-7

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-8

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-9

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-28

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-29

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-27

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-26

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-25

BØRNS

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-3

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-2

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-24

CHARLI XCX

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-11

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-12

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-13

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-15

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-16

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-17

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-19

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-20

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-22

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-23

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-30

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-31

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-32

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-33

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-34

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-35

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-36

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-37

Charli XCX Shot by Jason Miller-38

Check out hi-res photos of Charli XCX in the gallery here.

This entry was posted in TVD San Francisco. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.
  • SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL INDIE SHOPS SINCE 2007


  • Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text
  • Alternative Text Alternative Text Alternative Text