Charli XCX delivers acclaimed set at Outside Lands festival

Charli XCX opened her Outside Lands headlining slot on Friday night with a high-energy set that combined new tracks from her latest album and hits from her 2022 release "Brat." The British pop artist, appearing in a zippered leather minidress and fishnet attire, performed for about ninety minutes in front of a densely packed crowd, accompanied by a live band and synthesizer players.

During the show she introduced the new song "Rock Music" with the line, "I think the dance floor is dead," and later remarked, "This is a classic," before launching into a remix of "Guess" featuring Billie Eilish. The set included choreography, stage effects such as pyrotechnics and a rain of underwear, and a finale that featured a spoken-word segment with director David Cronenberg discussing mortality.

Charli XCX’s recent album "Music, Fashion, Film," released in July, marks a shift toward live instrumentation and explores themes of identity and artistic expression. In a recent interview, the singer said inspiration can be fleeting and emphasized the album’s experimental nature. Critics have responded positively; Pitchfork named it “Best New Music” with an 8.2 rating, while Stereogum highlighted its blend of existential and playful elements.

The performance was noted for its blend of new material and familiar songs, drawing a large, engaged audience that remained until the closing moments of the set.