On Thursday night, September 4, Poppy graced the stage of The Welmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey, with support from MSPAINT and UnityTX. From start to finish, fans raged in anticipation of Poppy’s appearance on stage. Fans even cheered loudly simply whilst the venue was setting everything up, showing a monitor which showcased various artists that were going to be playing at The Welmont Theater.
This tour is part two of Poppy’s “THEY’RE ALL AROUND US” tour, covering 24 states across the United States and Mexico. On September 12, Dying Wish will accompany Poppy and MSPAINT on the tour, finishing off the rest of it with the last show date being on October 12, in Mexico City. The setlist includes songs that are fan-favorites, keeping the energy pumped and continuous, I believe the ground of The Welmont Theater was shaking.
To start off the show, MSPAINT brought the audience back to a sound comparable to that of Limp Bizkit. With lyrics that spoke out against the hardships that people face in times of disparity, the band quickly gained the many gazes of the audience watching and listening. While speaking to one of the audience members after their set, they revealed that they hadn’t heard of the band before, but felt connected to the message in the lyrics sung.
Next, UnityTX appeared on stage and truly brought the heat. The energy in the venue shifted, everyone in the pit started to mosh and jump with the lead singer. The energy from all band members was off-the-charts, the bass player even assisted the lead in screaming some of the lyrics out while the guitarist jumped with his guitar and spun around in a circle. UnityTX also managed to get the crowd to split down the middle and then all at once run at each other. After, they asked all of the ladies in the crowd to make a mosh pit and dance, it was the first time that I’ve ever seen an all female / female-presenting mosh pit.
Finally, the main event. Poppy.
The venue lights dimmed, the stage lights turned red, and a monitor with a keyhole containing Poppy’s eye looking around appeared. Suddenly, the venue was filled with an unsettling sound, amping up and elevating the anticipation from the crowd. It grew silent with the sudden cut to a gasp from Poppy and a voiceover saying, “Hi! shall we begin?…” The monitor then began to show various symbols, Poppy’s voice listing off the significance to each and every one of them.
If you are unfamiliar with Poppy, then I’m sure these different depictions and the voiceover might leave a chill down your spine. To truly understand the concept of Poppy, you have to be fully prepared to expect the unexpected. You must divulge yourself in a world where anything is possible with a message still shining through it all.
As the last couple symbols appeared on the monitor, shadows of Poppy’s band members started to walk across the stage; the crowd roared. Poppy had finally walked on stage after her band members, the crowd roared even louder than the had before. The words “HAVE YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH” flashed upon the screen one-by-one, amping up the energy even more.
From start to finish, Poppy consistently brought the heat. During the cut between songs, the crowd constantly chanted, “POPPY! POPPY! POPPY!” over and over again. Even with the interlude of a doll version of poppy, fans listened intently as if they were at a play waiting for the next act to start. The band members each had their own solo, highlighting their talents with each instrument. They also wore suits and doll masks to help conceal their identity and add to what is the “unknown” of Poppy.
The setlist order was also a brilliant inside-scoop to the different tones of each and every Poppy song. Fan favorites such as “I Disagree,” “Concrete,” “BLOODMONEY,” and “V.A.N,” amongst others, were played, having the fans join in a chorus of screams and excitement. Even as the show started to come to its last “act,” fans kept the energy going, begging for one more song until it was given. The show closed out with the song “a new way out” as confetti rained from the ceilings. Fans danced, moshed, and sang their hearts out to show their gratitude and love for Poppy.
Overall, Poppy is such a force to be reckoned with. Her stage presence is insane— the way she commands the crowd to either split down the middle, form a circle pit, clap, or wave their hands is truly something incredible to experience first hand. If you have the chance to, I would definitely recommend seeing Poppy live. Even if you haven’t listened to Poppy’s newer music, as someone that has been watching her since she was on YouTube, it brings a nostalgic feeling that even may have you thinking about things you never did before.
THEY’RE ALL AROUND US TOUR ( DATES & TICKETS)
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