Chappell Roan’s last stop at ACL Weekend 2

By Harriet Bernard

Music  Journalist

Chappell Roan knocked it out of Zilker Park for her last stop of The Midwest Princess Tour at ACL Weekend 2. As we know from the previous weekend, Chappell’s first crowd was massive and the peak performance of the three days, so attendees could expect the exact same for last Sunday. Sure enough, fans camped at the American Express barricade from the second the gates opened that morning. I was shocked to hear that people wanted to sit in the Texas sun for 8 hours to see Chappell up close, for I was satisfied with any space that I could stand in where everyone was as hyped as I was to sing along and dance. This was my first ACL since technically I went at the age of one in 2004 so it’s not like I remember it well enough. It felt particularly special that I would get to see Chappell perform after being first entranced by her discography and persona back in March.

As me and my friend, Evelyn, enjoyed the last of Kevin Abstract’s set at the IHG stage across the street from the “mainland”, the clock hit 6:45 and we bolted to American Express. Combing through the crowd as the first track, “Femininomenon”, blurred out of the speakers from, what felt like, half a mile away from the stage. I subconsciously started to sing as we moved through the cracks of the crowd filled with young and old heads witnessing the artist their gay daughter hasn’t shut up about for the last 6 months.

Seeing her on the screens with her fuchsia and black leather attire and her vocals echoing made my chest swell with excitement. I was fully prepared to lose my voice that night, and that, I did. The swift transition to the next song “Naked in Manhattan” had the lyrics plastered on the screen behind her but I needed no help remembering them as I jumped up and down singing “like cicadas in the summertime!” 

One of my favorites, “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl”, came on next which is purely underrated. We found our permanent spot next to girls jumping and parents with their 5 year olds singing along. Chappell told the crowd this was her last show for the year which made me feel extremely grateful that of all places I could see her perform, was in my hometown. It was nothing short of a great experience; besides the blistering sun and 15 dollar snow cones.

While the crowd was being taught the “Hot To Go” dance, the excitement was finally starting to rub off on everybody. Moments later everyone spelled out the lyrics of the song with their arms which made the crowd look like it was vibrating. Her banter throughout the set was halarious like saying “Y’all are freaks for not doing this dance” to the VIP bungalow. She then introduced her all-female band in matching makeup and attire, as they did for every show. 

Seeing all the bits of pink in everyone’s outfits on Sunday made me nervous because of just how many would be eager to be in that crowd in only a matter of hours. To no one’s surprise, it was pink cowboy hat city, with people waving around their Midwest Princess bandanas. After almost shedding a tear during the outro of “Casual” it was time for the unreleased song I saw all over Instagram. “The Subway” release is much anticipated as most of the crowd already knew all the lyrics. The dust got to everyone, including our queen, as she exclaimed that her voice was on its last legs. However, she delivered a fabulous performance and gave every song her all.

Three songs later, including “Good Luck Babe”, “Red Wine Supernova” and “My Kink Is Karma”, she ended the show with the infamous “Pink Pony Club.” She joked that “this is the last ‘Pink Pony Club’ ever” and you could hear the gasps. Everyone took the chance to sing their hearts out and the pink lights from the stage lit up the park and everyones’ faces as we went all out.

As soon as the last note came out of the speakers, Chappell echoed a brief thank you and goodbye and hurried behind the stage; officially ending her set. While I was surprised and left wanting more, in my heart of hearts, I forgave the premature ending. We walked away with high spirits and soar throats that night. Chappell has come a long way and in a quick 9 months broke the glass ceiling which has put an egregious amount of pressure and expectation on her. After a long, eventful tour filled with rises and falls the midwest princess can now rest for a while.