What does it take to be a pop star?
Catchy songs, a unique look and an abundance of charisma. And Chrissy Chlapecka certainly fits the bill.
From the moment Chlapecka entered through the back of the room last night at Schubas Tavern, blazing a trail through the audience, all eyes were on her. I was reminded of recent shows I’ve attended in the last few months, where audience members are too distracted by middling conversations and the abrasive glare of their cell phones to pay attention to an entire set. But Chlapecka doesn’t have to worry about that.
Some people just have it, and she does.
Watching her perform her short but sweet set on Thursday night felt like bearing witness to a secret, one that is sure to be revealed and beloved within the mainstream music world.
It’s funny, then, that Chlapecka first found an audience online through social media. Like many young people, she built an audience on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. As of today, she has more than 5 million followers across those two platforms. During the early years of her success online, many were charmed by Chlapecka’s over-the-top humor and biting snippets of wisdom she shared about life, love and friendship while traipsing through the streets of Chicago. It also didn’t hurt that she curated a hyper-pink, campy, party girl aesthetic that felt straight out of 2002. A Chicago-area native, Chlapecka found a following by simply being herself.
But music aspirations were never far away. Occasionally, she sang for her audience, and her voice sounded bright and lovely. It’s even more compelling now.
That is why it is so invigorating to see her make the full leap into “pop stardom,” as she said last night. This is an artist who very solidly knows who she is.
Chlapecka opened her set with the song “Girlie Pop,” the title track off of her latest EP. The song, a glitchy yet nostalgic delight, instantly threw audiences into Chlapecka‘s world. The sold out crowd surprisingly knew every word, a theme throughout the night as Chlapecka powered through early tracks like “BRAT” and “Affection.”
Pink was the theme of the night, with audience members sporting everything from pink hair and wigs to pink platform heels and leather jackets to pink braids and beanies. Amazing fits were out in full force among Chlapecka’s audience full of young, fabulous, beautifully queer young adults.
“You look just like me,” she said at one moment.
Chlapecka’s music sounds very much rooted both in “Blackout”-era Britney Spears (perhaps Spears’ most critically acclaimed and controversial time period) as well as early Lady Gaga and modern-day Slayyyter. Think high theatrics, bold vocals, and showmanship for showmanship-sake.
Like Gaga, Chlapecka is a multifaceted performer. Yes, she has the looks and the songs and the style to generate a bevy of fans. But she also has the chops. Simply put, her voice is spectacular. Strong and propulsive, Chlapecka is a vocalist’s vocalist. And she’s not afraid to remind you of that throughout her sets.
This was most evident during performances of songs like “Emergency,” from her “Girlie Pop” EP and covers of tracks like Lady Gaga’s “Judas” and “Speechless.” It was also clear during a performance of an unreleased track written by Chlapecka. She described it as one of her favorite songs she’s ever written, and it sounded like one of her best tracks, too. This was one of the highlights of the evening. The song, which has a particularly strong ’80s vibe, kind of reminded me of Pat Benatar, in the best possible way. Like most of her other performances, the audience ate it up. They also cheekily participated in Chlapecka’s many interactions with the crowd, including asking who was bisexual (like herself). The crowd cheered.
And although her set was short, clocking in at under 45 minutes, Chlapecka was able to pack a punch. Within a few minutes of beginning her set, she was joined on stage by two surprise dancers who performed strong and intense choreography throughout the evening. During her performance of the track “Verse,” the dancers came out with cheerleader pom poms and held up signs that said both “verse rights” and “girlie pop.” During a performance of “Girlie Pop” lead single “10 Boyfriends,” they danced with what looked like male, oversized blow up dolls. The audience went wild.
By the end of the night, I came to one conclusion: we were the lucky witnesses to an artist who is sure to reach brave new heights. Pop music in 2024 is fearless, audacious and fun, a welcome reprieve after a few years of downers. I can only imagine what Chlapecka’s shows and music will embody in the future: perhaps bigger, definitely brighter, but just as bold as ever.
Britt Julious is a freelance critic.
