Fans filled the venue dressed up in Renaissance skirts, corsets, and fairy-inspired fashion filled the venue, giving a different energy than other concerts held in the same venue. The best way to describe the energy in the room would be cathartic; it felt good to be surrounded, even if it was only for an hour, by so many people sharing the same release as me. Men in the crowd were few and far between, and not in an excluding way; more of a safe space built by women for women.

Paloma roots her songwriting deep into the feminine experience, showcasing what it feels like to hike through the trail that is womanhood. Her feminist lyricism and complex sound are what led to her going viral with songs like “The Fruits” and “Hunter”. In between songs, Paloma spoke about how she takes her anger and emotions and uses them to fuel her music, creating commentary on what’s happening around us. Towards the middle of her set, Paloma played one of these pieces, still in the process of being finished, called “Good Boy,” illustrating how today, working class men support these billionaires who call all the shots similar to how dogs congregate with each other, wagging their tails together in a circle.

As for the opener, the duo consisted of sisters Sarah Nuta and Julia Nauta, who formed the band, Sarah Julia. They share a similar sound to Paloma, making them the perfect preview for what’s to come. They blended flawlessly, which could’ve been a sister thing or simply because of their rich musical background. Either way, even with such a short set they left an impression on the crowd and myself.

Seeing an artist live allows you to experience the music as it was originally intended. You get to hear the special stuff not included in the original tracks and to visualize the artist in the moment. Performing showcased Paloma in her element, as she would quickly and seamlessly transition from belting to strumming to dancing to prancing across the stage. Her band, including herself, was a 3-piece, and even then, they took up all the space they could, letting their presence be known.

The highlight of the night was the closing performance of her most recognizable song, “Labour,” a ballad that encompasses the harsh expectations that are expected from women on a day to day. It was intense being in the center of the crowd as chanting swelled even as Paloma left the stage. She’s left her mark on fans and has grown far past her beginning on TikTok (@parispalomaofficial), yet she continues to upload new song snippets and has started documenting her life on tour!