Sunday night the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom exploded with energy as Quinn XCII took the stage for one of the final stops of his, From Tour With Love, tour. The tour is in support of his recently released sophomore album, From Michigan With Love. Opening for him were upcoming pop artists Christian French and Ashe.
Christian French took control of the distinguished corner stage before the sun had a chance to finish setting, but despite the unusually bright ballroom, his set was welcomed with open arms by the crowd. French has released a plethora of dance inspired singles, and pieced them together in a live setting with just his vocals, guitarist, and backing track. His lack of a band didn't equate to any lack of performance. Fans in the front rows already knew the lyrics and French controlled the crowd effortlessly, getting them to dance and jump during every drop.
His evident love of performing and powerful pop vocals place him in among more established artists like Jeremy Zucker, an inspiration of French's, and Lauv. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we see him headlining larger shows in the near future. You can check out his Spotify page here.
Vocal powerhouse Ashe, aka Ashley Wilson, took the stage next. Keeping it casual with an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants, she quickly took the crowd under her wing, gifting them with her gripping vocals and irrepressible energy. Wilson, who graduated from Berklee School of Music with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production, represents the school's dedication to technique well. Her dancing and jumping didn't hinder her ability to gracefully belt every lyric from the depth of her heart. Her vocals encompass artists like Amy Winehouse, Lorde, and Lana Del Ray.
Again it wouldn't be a surprise if we see Wilson start headlining larger shows in the future. Just this week she released her new single, Bachelorette, and accompanying EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 1. It features production from one of pop music's most desirable producers at the moment, FINNEAS. He is responsible for the production of his sister, Billie Eilish's well-received debut album, making it likely we'll be seeing more chapters of Ashe's music soon.
The growing crowd of twenty-somethings grew anxious as a timer counted down headliner Quinn XCII's arrival. When the clock finally reached zero an LED light board shuffled through city names finally landing on a screen displaying the words: From Portland With Love. Colored lights began to flash, and fans went wild as Quinn opened with Still Sad. As the night continued Quinn performed hits such as Straightjacket, U & Us, and Another Day in Paradise. As Quinn's captivating performance took the crowd on a ride, the LED light board illustrated the tour's stellar production, displaying lyrics and flashing dynamic graphics.
Quinn, who grew up in Detroit, is undoubtedly a performer on the rise. He captivated the crowd from song one to twenty, having them jump in different directions on command and mosh midway through the show. Quinn ended his set with one of his biggest hits to date, Flare Guns, a spunky breakup song that has an addictive quality, forcing you to sing along.
Talking to fans after the show it was evident that Quinn has made an impact on young adults in the digital age. They love his ability to talk about mental health, budding relationships, and dying romances in the approachable structure of a pop song. His fans are loyal to his honesty and are sure to offer their continued support as Quinn continues to carve a larger space in the industry ■
You can check out Quinn XCII's sophomore album, From Michigan With Love, here and his remaining tour dates here.
Special thanks to Brittani Wert for the fantastic photos and for getting me into the show! Make sure to check out her Instagram and blog for concert photography and more Portland show reviews.
Instagram: @bmw231
Blog: B Side Live Music
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