Frances Forever, Boston-based singer songwriter, took the stage at the Atlantis in Washington, D.C. on July 15 for their Lockjaw tour, captivating the audience with their catchy indie electro-pop tunes, vulnerably real lyrics exploring the ups and downs of the queer experience, and their contagious aura of joy.
The queer energy in the venue is more than palpable even before Frances’ set begins, with the crowd, primarily filled with young people swaying with their partners, and meeting other young queer people. While most of the audience is relatively young, there is also a heartwarmingly high number of older queer couples present as well.
While waiting for the show to start, the audience dances along to iconic queer anthems ‘HOT TO GO!‘ and ‘Good Luck, Babe!‘ by Chappell Roan and ‘Apple‘ by Charli XCX, cultivating a warm, joyful, and truly safe space.
Abruptly, the lights go down and Frances and their band embark onto the stage amidst cheers; they kick off the night with ‘Stuck,‘ the first track off Frances’ debut album, Lockjaw. Practically glowing with a fairy-like aura, complete with light purple hair, a frilly black minidress, sparkly makeup, and their mic stand adorned with flowers, Frances strums away on an electric guitar as they sing, “I’m stuck inside my brain,” “Fucked in the head; Why am I like this? (You’re mentally ill, dude.) Should I be on meds?” Their unique electronic pop-rock sound translates surprisingly well onstage; Frances’ live vocals sound significantly better than they do on the record, without the slightly autotuned, much-too-smooth sound.
The setlist, comprised of mostly of songs off Lockjaw as well as a few deep cuts from Pockets, their 2018 EP, is a beautifully curated mix of upbeat songs celebrating queer joy and love, mellow tunes about navigating self-discovery and gender identity, and even one particular track about fending off creepy men in a grocery store, ‘Mr. Man.‘ (The audience laughs and even cheers as Frances sings, “Just take your dairy milk and leave.”)
“This may be a long shot, but are there any queer people here?” Frances Forever asks the crowd somewhat sarcastically, who in response screams so loud the sound completely drowns out the sound of the singer’s voice. They smile widely, eyes scanning across the 450-capacity venue filled with both young and old, friends and couples, some even draped in pride flags. It’s clear that Frances has created an incredibly warm, relaxed, and safe space for everyone there to truly be themselves.
In a little more than an hour, Frances skilfully explores themes of self-discovery in ‘Nobody’s Daughter,‘ queer crushes in ‘Weeb‘ and ‘Monica Gives Me Lockjaw,‘ being in love in ‘Baby Bangs‘ and mental health and self-reflection in ‘Stuck‘ and ‘Troll.‘ Their uniquely genre-blending sound incorporates electronic elements, unique sound effects, and funky synth with indie rock-esque guitar riffs and the more conventional pop style.
Attending Frances Forever’s show at the Atlantis was a deeply uplifting, humanly raw, and beautifully, unapologetically, joyfully queer experience. I truly felt a sense of joy, safeness, and love, surrounded by other people who resonate with Frances’ music. Their warmly inviting, beautifully ethereal, and vulnerably authentic presence pulls the audience fully into their world, a world that’s simultaneously extremely simple and immensely complicated, as told with the help of their flawlessly smooth and emotive vocals and plenty of fun electro-pop tracks. If you want a fun, carefree night of celebrating queer joy, look no further. Go to a Frances Forever concert.
Make sure to listen go Frances’ album, Lockjaw. Listen to their discography here.
WORDS ALLYSON PARK
Comments