Heard Through the Grapevine, Role Model Sold Out the Fox Theater

Last Thursday, Role Model played a sold out show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA. This was one of the last tour stops of his headline “No Place Like Tour”, following the release of his deluxe album Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye). His charming personality has earned him a dedicated fanbase, coupled with a musical rebrand and comedic social media presence which have catapulted him into the spotlight.

Opening up the show was singer-songwriter Debbii Dawson, who brought her blend of modern and nostalgic pop influences to the stage. She wore a red, sparkly jumpsuit and kept the crowd engaged throughout her set with soft yet powerful vocals. She released her EP How To Be Human last June, and performed “The Great Magician”, “Solitude”, and “Happy World” among other tracks. Dawson was the perfect start for the night, and she received a warm welcome to Oakland.

As they waited for the main act, fans’ excitement was undeniable and radiated through their custom outfits, rhinestoned cowboy hats, and the inside fandom jokes and references written on their signs. Deafening screams filled the room when Role Model took the stage in dim lighting before grabbing his guitar for the opening songs “Writing’s On The Wall” and “Look At That Woman”. His infectious energy immediately shined, putting a smile on everyone’s face.

By the second song, fans chanted “diva” at the charismatic singer after witnessing his charming dance moves in person. Within the first few songs, he introduced himself as Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons, part of an ongoing joke he has with his fans.

The former rapper has recently tapped into a new pop and folk sound, which he brought to this tour with new tracks like “Scumbag”, “The Dinner”, and “Superglue”. Fans loudly sang every lyric with him. He often held out his mic, which prompted the crowd to scream back the lyrics even louder.

“We are ‘The 1965’, thank you,” he said as he concluded his cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else”. I really enjoyed Role Model’s take on the familiar track, and it was clear the crowd loved it too. He also performed other slower, melancholy songs such as “Oh, Gemini”, “Frances”, and “The Longest Goodbye”, which gave everyone a chance to catch their breath from dancing.

As the night neared its end, he brought out a fan on stage for “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”. “Where’s my Sally tonight,” he exclaimed as the chosen lucky fan for the night walked out on stage. She was wearing an all denim outfit, coincidentally matching with the heartthrob who let her borrow his spotlight as they both danced to the catchy hit song. This tour tradition started earlier in the tour, and it became a special moment that fans look forward to every night as many hope to be his chosen Sally.

He ended the night with another hit song, “Deeply Still In Love”, radiating his infectious energy one last time with his charismatic dance moves. The pop idol reluctantly walked off the stage, blowing kisses to fans and even taking a gift someone tossed him. It was clear his fans didn’t want the night to end, and they will undoubtedly wait for him to return to the bay area.

Check out the full photo gallery here.