If you’re looking for the next big up-and-coming artist, look no further: Rex Orange County (who goes by the stage name Alex O’Connor) is ready to fill that role. Currently on the road with his highly anticipated and mostly sold out Pony Tour, named after his third studio album, O’Connor’s packed performance at the House of Blues was no exception.
Initially scheduled to play two nights, the band was forced to cancel the first due to an unexpected illness. As night two approached, suspense loomed over the ticket holders, and it wasn’t until mid-afternoon that O’Connor tweeted that the show was on. Waiting in the long line outside the venue, concerned fans wrote “get well” and “we love you” messages in the dirt on the side of the tour bus, and took to social media to express their concerns about the first show. Eventually, O’Connor responded with a rescheduled date, saying that tickets from the cancelled show would be honored.
The show started strong with some upbeat tunes, and fans were quick to match O’Connor’s vocals with its own, as everyone knew the lyrics and was not afraid to show it. His genuine passion for music and performance were evident in each number he sang, and the stage gave off a similarly authentic energy, set like a backyard with grass lining the floor and clouds hanging as the backdrop. O’Connor took a pause in the middle of the show to play some of the ballads in his repertoire, closing the curtains behind him to create an intimate moment between artist and audience. And at one point, O’Connor stopped the show before moving on to the next song, asking people to put their phones away so that the following moment would be something “just between us […] we could have as memories that no one else can.” An artist who embraces the audience in such a way that makes people willingly put their phones down, especially in this day and age, has a real superpower.
By the end of the night, O’Connor was ready to finish strong. Lifting the curtain to reveal an amazing disco-like set, complete with rainbow lights and confetti cannons, the band was ready to party like no one was watching. “Feel good” energy filled every corner of the venue, as confetti swirled around the bright lights and the band played big solos to endless cheers. It was clear that neither the audience nor the band ever wanted it to end. After finishing their last song, the band walked off the stage, only to return moments later with a roar of approval as O’Connor stepped back out to keep the party going a little longer.
After the encore, the house lights came on, and everyone in the crowd was smiling, laughing, and singing with friends and family. This is the energy people need to feel more of in life, and if you are one of them, go see Rex Orange County at their rescheduled show on July 29th.
See below for photos from the show (in order: Rex Orange County):