Poppy Brings the “They’re All Around Us” Tour to Brooklyn, NY
Grammy-nominated singer Poppy’s career has been a layered journey. Formerly That Poppy, she rose to fame creating bubblegum-colored parodies and satirical music videos about internet culture, where she played an android character. Today, that android character lives on simply as Poppy, but with a twist: a heavy metal soundtrack. She just released her sixth studio album, Negative Spaces, and is currently on the “They’re All Around Us” tour.
Introducing the tour was House of Protection, a two-person band consisting of Stephen Harrison singing and playing guitar, and Aric Improta on drums. House of Protection has the most energy I’ve seen in any band recently, and their excitement to connect with the audience is very special. Harrison jumped into the crowd on numerous occasions, performing multiple songs from the center of the circle pit formed in the audience and once even from on top of a bar in the back of the venue (to the dismay of the venue’s security). Both Harrison and Improta kept their set visually stimulating and refreshing to a clearly enthusiastic audience.
Next, EDM duo Kumo 99 performed, comprised of Ami Komai singing and Nate Donmoyer DJing. While there was a large change in musical genre, the crowd at Brooklyn Paramount was happy to go with the shift and dance to Komai’s beautiful vocals and powerful screams. Their choice as an opener seems to be a homage to Poppy’s dance-pop roots, as Kumo 99 seems to combine hardcore music and dance music in a fascinating mix.
(Photos by Alana Lopez)
Closing out the night was Poppy, who was embraced immediately by the crowd, who seemed to almost all be recording her introduction. Poppy’s set leaned into the zany energy of her early videos, with her visuals referencing ideas of consciousness and what is real to her. She even takes on a meta perspective by mentioning being at a concert to her doll-self, a prop used throughout the show.
On top of speaking to the audience through her doll, Poppy kept the excitement up throughout the show through her music and her requests for dancing, moshing, and more. Her setlist was packed with recent hits such as “the cost of giving up” from her recent album to V.A.N, her popular collaboration with Bad Omens, which the audience exploded upon hearing. No one was able to stand still during her set with the infectious energy she brought onstage.
It’s hard to have a bad time with Poppy’s incredible setlist, beautiful performance, and captivating visuals. Poppy is a must-buy ticket for anyone who has a chance to catch the “They’re All Around Us” tour.