A line of twenty-somethings stretches down Oxford Road, sporting baguette bags, low-rise jeans, and other remnants of the Y2K era. Empty Diet Pepsi cans are scattered along the street next to the box office. “You can tell every girl here is fun,” someone asserts. This evening, Manchester Academy is hosting TikTok star turned cult pop sensation Addison Rae, of course.
Upon entering, we’re welcomed by a dazzling chandelier, an ornate gate featuring the letter “A,” and advertisements for a ‘Von Dutch’ cocktail; a questionable mix of electric blue VK, Southern Comfort, and orange juice that nearly blends into ‘Brat’ green. “Oh my god, it’s Tyler,” a guy next to me in line at the bar exclaims while I wait for my wine in a can to be poured into a plastic cup, “The guy who ghosted me!”
Fortunately, the venue is so packed that he could easily avoid Tyler all night. It’s challenging to catch a glimpse of Addison as the gates open, and she steps onto the stage to ‘Fame Is A Gun’, complete with choreography reminiscent of ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Immediately establishing herself as a triple threat, her playful vocals are paired with knowing glances and impressive spins, with every moment feeling designed and intentional.
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The first of several costume changes reveals Addison in neon lingerie, a style favored by her dancers, who match her energy perfectly. The crowd nearly keeps pace with her as well. As Addison begins ‘New York’, they repeat her every word as though it’s their creed. The audience is eager to dance, but there is also a strong urge to capture the night on iPhones, creating a sea of screens that often obstruct the mesmerizing choreography.
Nonetheless, Addison feeds off the excitement of the Manchester crowd and engages with them, full of enthusiasm and appreciation. “You all seem like you’re living life,” she jokes before diving into a Charli-free rendition of ‘Von Dutch’, now without the blue VK, which gets a predictably enthusiastic reaction. However, she doesn't linger too long on the success of Brat summer. Her live performance is distinctly her own, showcasing her personality throughout the production, from the intro of ‘Money Is Everything’ to her debut track ‘Obsessed’, along with a nod to that notorious “Hi Draded” video.
During ‘Headphones On’, pink wigs are passed around the audience, and Addison dollars fall from above as she showcases her main pop girl status with smooth vocals, impressive floor work, and endless outfit changes. An orange mini skirt gives way to diamond-studded lingerie, which is then replaced by a dress straight out of Black Swan.
It all builds up to ‘Diet Pepsi’, featuring a key change that sounds just as great through the Academy's sound system as it did on repeat last summer. A final bow solidifies Addison as a genuine performer, making her live show one of the most entertaining and sought-after events currently. Sure, every girl at the show was fun, but none were quite as fun as Addison.
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Words: Elle Palmer
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A line of people in their twenties stretches down Oxford Road, sporting baguette bags, low-rise jeans, and other throwbacks from the Y2K era. Discarded cans of