With no openers and no band members, Caroline Rose (they/she) accomplished a truly exceptional solo performance at The Blue Room. Everything about Rose’s Year of the Slug album was unconventional for a successful indie pop artist like herself — the album was only released on Bandcamp, and the production sounds noticeably stripped down compared to the rest of Rose’s work. It makes perfect sense, then, that Rose continued to set a similar precedent with their tour. For the Year of the Slug tour, Rose set out to play “independent, intimate venues” (according to her tour posters and social media) in the United States and Canada. This strategy worked perfectly for Rose’s show. They stood alone onstage with their own sound system and guitar, naturally bantering with the audience and performing songs old and new.
From the moment she began the first song of the set, “Love / Lover / Friend,” the audience was enraptured. Rose’s voice, whether belting or practically whispering, was enticing and pleasing. Coupled with Rose’s impressive skill on the guitar, a one-of-a-kind show was born. Rose proved that they didn’t need any back up to play their songs well and provide a memorable experience for audience members. In stylish boxer shorts and a sweater, they effortlessly bantered with the audience and provided genuinely funny anecdotes. Before playing their song “Money,” Rose had the audience in hysterics as they told us about the time they were forced to speak-sing it, acapella, in public. With personality and true talent, Rose proved herself as a musical force to be reckoned with. Such an intimate type of performance worked well for them: they formed a genuine connection with the audience and reminded us of why we love to listen to their music.
- Jules Krueger
Photos Courtesy of GC Moorman (For Bell Music Magazine)
