[Photo courtesy of Grace Koennecke]

By Grace Koennecke, Managing Editor

Debuting in 2019 with her EP You’re A Dog, Remi Wolf has since become a powerhouse in the alternative pop scene because of songs like “Guy,” “Photo ID” and “Liz.” Her authenticity is at the forefront when discussing themes that tend to plague adolescence. On April 18, the singer graced MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport, KY, to promote her most recent album, 2024’s Big Ideas, Wolf had fans feeling fun and flirty amidst the 70 degree weather.

In typical Remi Wolf style, she came out in a red polka-dot skirt, chunky belt, white and red checkered shirt, tights and tennis shoes, putting her personality on full display as she jumped around stage for opening songs “Cherries & Cream” and “Cinderella.” The latter performance was what truly kick-started the night, with the crowd instantly bouncing along to the trumpet-heavy introduction and Wolf’s whistles.

“Pitiful” was the next song played, which served as one of the more energetic live renditions of songs from Big Ideas. I personally loved this song even more live because of Wolf’s physical performance. She definitely poked fun at herself by making silly facial expressions and dancing like nobody was watching, and it made the crowd do the same. 

Wolf’s band made her stage presence even better, with several guitarists and a drummer interacting with the crowd. Next the singer moved into “Liz,” which was a soulful moment early in the set about being thankful for long-lasting friendships and connections. You could tell that Wolf was making her own connections with the crowd, trying to grab the audience’s attention as she edged her way closer to the barricade. At one point, she pointed at my friend and I, and the pure joy on her face was an expression that proved how happy the singer was to be there.

Songs like “Kangaroo” and “Alone in Miami” were also essential moments of the show. Wolf took a minute to warm the audience up for what was to come. This included moving my arms up and down, jumping and even reenacting the famous Freddie Mercury “ay-oh” chant. It was a silly but memorable moment in the show for me, as it felt like Wolf really wanted the audience to feel comfortable and bonded. I think that personal touch was what made this live experience so different from ones I’ve previously experienced.

One of the most anticipated songs of the night was “Sexy Villain,” which is one of Wolf’s most popular songs from her 2021 album, Juno. Sadly, the live version was a lot slower and less energetic than I expected, which was probably the only shortcoming of the night. The singer’s carefree nature and enjoyment on stage made up for it, as well as the colorful stage lights.

Immediately after ‘Sexy Villain,” Wolf showed off her vocal range with “Michael,” and trust me, I’m still thinking about the live version of this song as I’m writing this. One of the more emotionally cathartic moments in the set list, the singer admitted that this song was about feeling misunderstood or unseen. I thought it was a vulnerable anecdote in the show and one that made me realize how well Wolf can relate her thoughts to her audience. This is my favorite Remi Wolf song, so I was thrilled to head-bang along as she screamed into void for three minutes.

After quite an emotional song, Wolf switched direction with “Liquor Store” and “Toro,” two songs that saw her embrace her more wild, child-like side. Her vocals were extremely impressive on these two songs, and I’m now convinced Wolf sounds exactly like her recorded self. Both songs were interactive and playful as the singer and her band strutted around the stage and encouraged fans to clap to the beat. One could sense that Wolf and her bandmates had great chemistry as the show continued on.

As the show neared its end, the singer continued with “Guy” and “Disco Man.” While these were fun songs to hear live, I was a little disappointed to not hear more songs from Big Ideas. Luckily, “Disco Man” allowed for fans to find their energy again and caused more commotion. “Guy” seemed to cause a lull in the setlist. Maybe it was intentional to let Wolf catch her breath, which I certainly don’t blame her for, but I think it caused some of the ending songs to lose their appeal.

Wolf’s second to last song was “Soup,” a song that served as one of the major singles off the latest album. It was clear that every fan in the room had a strong connection to this song, as people were hugging their loved ones and bouncing around as Wolf sang about not wanting to let her crush get away. I loved this performance because it sounded just like the original, but it also had a change in key, which I thought really elevated the song and its meaning.

Wolf ended her performance with “Photo ID,” as an encore. It was definitely a great way to end her short but sweet setlist. This song is arguably the most popular in her discography and it was really excellent to see how each fan interacted with Wolf during it. It was another beautiful testament that the singer is someone who people can relate to for her bright energy and quirkiness.

In all, Remi Wolf is totally worth the time and money to see, and is one of the best performers I’ve seen in a while. She has an authentic take on how she approaches live music and is someone to keep on your radar these next few years for her incredible range and realness.