Dorian Electra Goes “All The Way” With Fanfare Tour

This Wednesday, the Basement East was filled with concertgoers adorned in neon green and black, some sporting middle parts and playful, penciled-in ‘staches. None other than the hyperpop artist Dorian Electra could inspire such chaotic and colorful energy from their adoring fan base. Both openers for the Fanfare tour matched this spirited energy: First, the DJ Manrelic, who played certified pop bangers like Kesha’s “Joyride,” Beyoncé’s “PURE/HONEY,” and a remix of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe” with Sia’s “Titanium” (my personal favorite moment of the set). With pink spiky hair, white club gear, and a dynamic set, Manrelic brought the confident and cool energy needed to open the show. 

Next up was alternative artist Vanilla Sugar, who pranced onto the stage with long pink hair and black platform boots that showcased her glossy grunge aesthetic. She energetically engaged the crowd and worked the entire stage, even descending into the crowd to “go hard together.” Afterwards, I chatted with her about performing: “When I get on stage, it’s like a switch flips and it’s go mode,” she said to me. The enthusiastic crowd certainly felt that switch flip, too. 

After two talented openers, Dorian Electra slid onstage to their song “Symphony” in an all black get-up, complete with sunglasses, booty shorts, a flat cap, and a thin belt. This ensemble, along with Electra’s kitschy stage decór of cutout candelabras and comedy/tragedy theatre masks, emphasized the musician’s playful nature and camp aesthetic. Electra was joined by two charismatic dancers dressed in glamorous midwestern chic. Both dancers shone just as brightly onstage as the musician themself. Props like giant puppet hands during “Phonies” added even more levity to the already lively performance, and multi-colored lights flashed as Electra and their dancers smoothly completed choreography. Electra even excited concertgoers by performing “Taboo,” a song set to be released later this year. At the end of the show, Electra earnestly thanked the crowd for enjoying their music and their honest expression of queer identity. Following an encore that featured crowd-surfing and more iconic choreography, Electra shared their hope that everyone made “five new friends tonight.” In turn, the crowd cheered and filed out with grins on their faces after a memorable night of music.

- Jules Krueger

Photos Courtesy of GC Moorman (For Bell Music Magazine)