BRAT Is Back with a Sold Out Opening Night in Austin
Charli XCX’s BRAT Arena Tour kicked off in Austin, Texas, with a sold out show at the Moody Center. Fans filled the venue wall-to-wall ready to dance, scream, and celebrate pop music in its most chaotic and club-ready form.
The stage setup itself was strikingly minimalistic yet powerfully symbolic as the word “GIRL” stretched across the floor paired with a towering backdrop declaring “PARTY.” Of course the iconic neon-green brat wall returned, yet this time it was scribbled out potentially as a reminder that even in its return, BRAT is meant to be unpredictable. Charli didn’t need backup dancers or an extravagant stage setup as her stage presence alone was able to dominate the energy of the arena.
True to form, Charli incorporated her signature runway that extended into the crowd, complete with a cage structure beneath, allowing for moments of exciting fan interaction throughout the night.
The show started with a glitchy mashup of her top songs including Shygirl’s remix of “365” which then transitioned into “360” and then the hyper-chaotic “Von Dutch.” The arena instantly transformed into a dark club-like atmosphere with pounding basslines and chaotic strobe lights.
Midway through the set, the tone shifted as she slowed things down with “I Might Say Something Stupid.” Fans took out their flashlights and bathed the arena in a warm glow that created a beautiful and intimate moment.
But the calm didn’t last long. Charli snapped the room back into motion with “Club Classics,” instantly reigniting the crowd’s energy. She then dived into classics like “Unlock It” and “Vroom Vroom,” which blended the nostalgic chaos of her earlier sound with the experimental confidence of BRAT. The energy during this part was incredible as the crowd was jumping, screaming, and singing along to every word as the floor seemed to pulse beneath them.
One of the show’s most memorable moments was when she performed “Track 10” under a cascade of water. As rain poured from the ceiling, Charli dramatically bathed in strobe lights and shadows in this cinematic moment which was captivatingly raw and emotional. This visual and sonic spectacle that showcased Charli’s ability to turn a massive arena into something deeply personal.
Throughout the show, Charli looked like she was having the time of her life dancing, strutting, and crawling across every inch of the stage, feeding off the wild, uncontrollable energy of the crowd. And the fans screamed and danced with her in perfect, chaotic unison.
Charli ended with the iconic “I Love It,” cranking the energy up one last time. As the final notes echoed through the arena, the screens flashed: “I just want this moment to last forever. Please don’t let it be over.” This heartfelt message echoed the bittersweet feeling lingering in the air, leaving fans buzzing, grateful, and already wishing they could do it all over again.