The BRAT Arena Tour Makes a Chicago Pit Stop

What better way would any of the Chicago Charli XCX fans want to spend their Monday

night than at the BRAT arena tour? I can’t say I can think of one. Fans turned out in droves to Rosemont Arena this past Monday to experience the one and only Charli XCX on her 2025 BRAT arena tour.

Before you even stepped foot in the arena, there was a whole show outside.

Fans dressed to the nines in BRAT inspired outfits; neon green, sunnies, mini skirts, and mesh littered the parking lot as people made their way to line up to be let inside. Fans were mingling, complimenting everyone who walked by, and trying their best to fight the killer wind wreaking havoc on fan’s freshly done hair. But in the end no one seemed to care, because before everyone knew it the doors were open and it was time to dance.

With drinks and snacks in hand, fans began to buzz as it got closer and closer to show

time. Finn Keane finally took the stage to get fans warmed up for Charli. The British song writer and record producer set the tone for the night with a fun, fresh dj set that had fans jumping and dancing. The lighting design was superb, I almost regret not bringing a pair of sunglasses. A whole light show danced around the stage as Finn offered the arena electric beats. By the end of his set, the arena was packed and ready to keep the party going.

Before long, Charli was finally set to take the stage. The lights dimmed and a bar of light

appeared across the middle of the stage set, filling the arena with a flashing light show as beats began to play. Charli appeared in a gorgeous white feathered outfit, in classic Charli style, in front of her iconic neon green brat curtain. The energy was electric and Charli didn’t waste any time to start dancing. After the white ensemble had its moment, the first outfit change of the night ensued. Charli emerged in a chic, tantalizing black bikini set with a cropped black jacket and knee high black boots, making her way to a stage lift, rising her into the air for the whole arena to see. As Charli traveled throughout different parts of the stage, a camera man followed

her while she was underneath the stage while she made her way to the runway. She even did a classic ‘party girl’ dance break during ‘Spring Breakers’ under the stage for the arena to watch from the screens.

Then came the second outfit change, a pink top and black and white bottoms with a

feathered cropped black jacket that Charli looked absolutely fabulous in. The hanging details of the bottoms bounced perfectly with Charli as she strutted down the runway and jumped around on stage, giving her an almost otherworldly energy. Charli mentioned “This is 1000 million percent going to be the best show of the tour… you guys are special.” It was clear Charli was just as excited to party with the audience as they were with her! During ‘party 4 u’ a beautiful white light rope graced the center of the stage, becoming the sole light source while she began performing, as well as a final outfit change into another gorgeous white ensemble.

As she posed with the rope and twirled it around while performing, a beautiful silhouette visual of Charli highlighted the content of the song. Then came one of my favorite parts of the night, the rain shower at the end of the runway during ‘Blame It On Your Love’. The choreography with the water was an absolutely stunning portrayal of emotion and performance. Who needs pyrotechnics when you can have rain instead? A very on brand performance choice that was beautifully mastered.

The lights were a whole other show to see during the performance. Props to the lighting

designer, it felt like you were being transported through space to a place where only Charli XCX exists. Throughout the entirety of the show the lights added a whole nother level to the experience. Sadly, like most good things, it had to come to an end. Fans didn’t want to leave but the energy stayed happy and high as fans made their way home. Overall, beautiful show, great energy, and I’m excited to see what the future of Charli XCX holds in the future.

Written by: Caitlin Dennis

Photos by: Henry Redcliffe

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