Sunglasses on and shirts off sums up the unofficial dress code of UPSAHL’s Melt Me Down Tour.
Openers Zoe Ko and Conor Burns set the tone for the night. With fur coats, black sunnies and more shirtless men than expected, Howard Theater felt more like a New York City club during the thick of Brat summer.
After both opening acts, the theater was buzzing waiting for UPSAHL to come on. She didn’t disappoint. UPSAHL broke the show into two parts starting with ice and ending with fire.
The juxtaposed acts seemingly paid tribute to her project THE PHX TAPES from 2023. This album drew inspiration from cassette tapes with songs organized in SIDE A and SIDE B.
In a blue bikini-style outfit and oversized, silver puffy jacket, UPSAHL grabbed the crowd’s attention instantly. The sexy, but intimate feel of her lyrics translated perfectly to her stage presence and technical design. Instead of an ocean of phones blocking the stage, the audience was focused on the music and the flashing lights.
After a neon red costume change, UPSAHL performed an unreleased song and asked the crowd to help her blow up on TikTok. With UPSAHL playing “Cut Em Off” at multiple of her stops this tour, it’s hard not to wonder when a Melt Me Down album will be released. If her record is anything like her summer single “Tears on the dancefloor,” audiences should be excited for what’s to come.
By the end of the night, I was jumping up and down with my camera still in my hand. Because of the smaller crowd, groups spread out around the theater floor. Even Burns and the band’s group put their shirts back on to form a dance circle towards the back of the crowd.
Everyone in the audience was dripping by the end of the show. While performing “WET WHITE TEE SHIRT,” UPSAHL poured water all over herself and soaked the screaming crowd. She finished the fire-themed set with her famous song “DRUGS” in a wet white ‘I Heart DC’ t-shirt.
After waving bye to the crowd, fans screamed ‘One more song!’ until UPSAHL came back on stage. She rounded out the night with two of her older classics “People I Don’t Like” and “Sad Sorry After Party” which made the rounds on TikTok in 2020.
Holding her mic out to the crowd, fans threw their hands up
and screamed back the song lyrics to UPSAHL
during the second act. Photo by Madi Koesler
This was a party that should’ve had more RSVPs. The show was honestly just fun. UPSAHL’s relatable lyrics make for lively songs and deserve a spot on your pregame playlist.
Madi Koesler is a new photojournalist and reporter for MidCity DC and the HillRag. She can be ed at [email protected] or on Instagram @madikoesler.
