Rina Sawayama is a pop star, nation performer, and rock n’ roll legend all wrapped into one girl.

Stream: “Frankenstein” – Rina Sawayama

Emerging to the stage as an angelic silhouette illuminated by brilliant white lights, Rina Sawayama appeared earlier than the ocean of telephones anxiously awaiting her arrival.

The Japanese-British pop artist carried out at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater in between her units at each weekends of Austin Metropolis Limits as a part of ACL Fest Nights on October 11, 2023. Texas native Disko Cowboy took the stage first for a DJ set consisting of pop mashups starting from Troye Sivan to Kate Bush to Dolly Parton and past. R&B blended pop opener and “Kiss Me” collaborator Empress Of danced from stage to viewers with out shedding a breath, singing in each English and Spanish.

With backup dancers (Summer season Jay Jones and Chanté) on both facet of Sawayama, the trio effortlessly choreographed their manner across the stage for the whole thing of the 70-minute present. She commanded the viewers on opener “Maintain the Lady” as they dutifully adopted her instruction to clap alongside as they sang the refrain again to their goddess. Midway by way of the set got here the energetic rock observe “STFU!” transitioning right into a shortened rendition of Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff”– however not earlier than the group eagerly held up their center fingers whereas screaming “shut the f up, shut the f up!”

The vivacity continued as the group bore witness to the budding rock star’s debut dwell efficiency of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” beforehand solely current on the band’s The Metallica Blacklist compilation cowl album. The primarily millennial and Gen Z viewers jumped and pumped their fists by way of the observe as if it had by no means existed earlier than, the 33-year-old respiration life into it for the primary time ever. Although, the viewers wasn’t with out the few Gen X and child boomer mother and father sprinkled among the many amphitheater, seemingly having fun with the throwbacks – perhaps appreciating them much more than their kids.

In full synchronicity, Sawayama’s dancers ripped off her garments to disclose a crimson pink bodysuit as they dressed her with a sheer, matching gown for hit “XS.” She swapped out the golf membership she had in hand for a whip, swinging it above her head because the observe got here to a detailed.

“Thanks Texas for… letting me borrow this tradition of yours,” she stated as she closed the 16-song setlist with “This Hell,” now adorned in a superbly matching crimson pink cowboy hat and boots.

Channeling their interior nation – with a pop-twist in fact – the three cowgirls equipped for his or her country-western impressed line dance. “Let’s go women!” she stated, saying the ultimate track of the night time and echoing fellow ACL performer Shania Twain’s “Man! I Really feel Like A Lady!”

She pitted the 2 sides of the group towards each other in fierce competitors as they begged for her consideration, repeating lyrics again to her – to her left, followers chanted “Acquired my invitation to everlasting damnation” whereas the precise facet adopted, barely louder “Get in line, cross the wine, bitch, we’re going straight to hell” vying for her reward.

So what’s one to do when Rina Sawayama broadcasts a present in your metropolis? Y’all higher giddy on up!

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 © Charlotte Rutherford

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