Photo of Kesha by Michael O’Connor
Three powerhouse acts—Slayyyter, Scissor Sisters, and Kesha—lit up the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on Sunday for Kesha’s Tits Out Tour, drenching the night with a kaleidoscope of sound and pure talent. These artists created a performance that was absolutely incredible, a nonstop celebration of pop excellence.
Originally from Kirkwood, Catherine Garner (Slayyyter) opened with explosive, bass-heavy club beats that immediately set the bar sky-high. Garner ran across the stage engaging with fans; her performance radiated a playful confidence and fierce charisma. When she sang “Miss Belladona,” the entire floor began to jump. Slayyyter’s blend of local pride and dance-pop styles helped to make her set truly stand out.
Scissor Sisters came next, welcomed by massive inflatable scissors half-submerged behind them. No words can fully describe the band’s performance in accurate detail, they’re an artist you HAVE to see for yourself to get the full effect. Despite a complex set design and multiple outfit changes, they delivered each moment flawlessly. The three-part harmonies by lead singers Jake Shears, Bridget Barkan, and Amber Martin were tight and on pitch, creating beautiful resonance with finesse. The crowd erupted when their final track “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” was playing, ending in a provocative and climactic finale, leaving the audience in awe and wanting so much more.
Kesha closed the night with a genre-defying, story-driven set that was more like watching a movie then a concert act. Initially stepping onto the stage with a mannequin head, Kesha had the audience in a state of trance and wonder from the beginning. Her set featured all of her biggest hits like “Tik Tok,” “Die Young,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” and even her Pitbull collab “Timber,” while also leaning heavily on her new album . (a.k.a. Period, self-released earlier this month)—8 of the album’s 11 tracks made an appearance as well as “ATTENTION” from the album’s deluxe edition. During the third track “Warrior,” she descended into the crowd and walked around the full horseshoe path on the ground floor. From wild costume changes, set alterations mid-performance, and cloaked backup dancers, Kesha’s show was a performance masterpiece. She not only sang with passion, but is an extremely talented dancer, guitarist, and truly fearless performer. The crowd was deafening (genuinely the loudest show I’ve experienced) with piercing screams echoing as lasers carved through the night sky during “Take It Off.” At the height of her track “Blow,” Kesha shredded on the guitar while the sold-out venue held their hands up. She finally closed out with “We R Who We R”, with the final track feeling like a battle cry for individual authenticity, acceptance, and freedom.
The show was an eruption of music, performance art, and crowd intensity. From Slayyyter’s Firestarter energy, Scissor Sisters’ alluring precision, and Kesha’s unapologetic artistry, this show was one of the best I’ve been to this year. Truly unforgettable. | Michael O’Connor
