British pop export Charli XCX has announced that she will be taking part in an online performance this halloween for the Atelier Cologne Festival which takes place on the 29th of October this year. The performance, which takes place at 9pm London time will be part of the ‘virtual music festival experience,’ which will also feature appearances from US talent Doja Cat, Korean Henry lau and French Duo Videoclub.
Tickets for the event are free and can be accessed by creating an account with the French perfume company. Charli XCX is another star in the long line of stars who are gradually accepting the current reality where online performance is the more economical viable option, especially for artists like her who have fans in their millions who would struggle to fit into even the biggest socially distanced venue.
The singer has recently released ‘How I’m Feeling Now,’ which HMV describes as as ‘an entire album that was both conceived and recorded during lockdown.’ The album was streamable from May this year but only received a physical release in September. Her Perfume Performance next week is sure to encourage some sales for the album and satisfy some fans who are missing out on a tour.
‘How I’m Feeling Now,’ is much more intimate than Charli XCX’s usual style, largely due to the nature of its creation which involved extensive discussion with fans over zoom and the lack of expensive studio time. The album is simple and stripped back and yet still delivers the same electronic, futuristic aesthetic which she is loved for. The album’s presentation on her website shows a distinct awareness of the online zeitgeist and makes use of creative web design by creating a video pop up with an iPhone shaped boarder which displays the music video for each track which she uploaded to Youtube.
While her third album, ‘Charli,’ which she released prior to ‘How I Feel Now,’ in September 2019, was supported by a world tour, fans have had to settle for a greater level of interaction through online platforms in the absence of a new tour just yet. Charli XCX was due to perform at a concert in Mexico today however this was cancelled to to factors which are likely to be understood by all by now.
Fans however do have something to look forwards to next summer when the singer is due to perform at Reading and Leeds 2021. The festival, which is cited by Ticketmaster as ‘the most popular UK festival,’ according to a report made in 2019. While fans will of course be mourning the cancellation of 2020’s event, the chance to see Charli XCX on Sunday at Reading or on Friday in Leeds will surely be something worth waiting for.
Until then the artist’s millions strong audience will have to settle for the online performances which are rapidly becoming a craze circulating all tiers of the music industry. Performing online does of course have its advantages, artists can reach countless fans all at once without the need for a physical, however i’m sure like most of us, fans of Charli XCX cannot wait for live music to resume in its full.
