Remi Wolf
Remi Wolf has raspy and sultry vocals that feel classic, however, her lyricism can only be that of this century. In true Gen Z fashion, she never seems to take herself too seriously. Wolf’s first break was the song “Photo ID.” The single blew up on TikTok and like much of her early work, Remi Wolf’s vocals are pitched up, making it difficult for listeners to fully appreciate how much of a powerhouse vocalist Wolf truly is. However, fans who attend her Big Ideas Tour will make no mistake regarding Wolf’s vocal talent.
At her show at The Eastern in Atlanta on October 8th, Remi Wolf showed the crowd, she is not just a studio artist, but also a world-class performer and entertainer. Many other “viral sensations” and artists who initially derive success from social media struggle to translate their work into a live performance but Wolf has a way with the crowd. With a magnetic presence, she moves the crowd from laughter to awe, skillfully blending her eccentric personality with her musical talent.
She opened with three songs off the new record before she played an older song “Liz.” She originally wrote the song off Juno about a friend of hers as a joke, but it has since become a fan favorite. The first single off of Big Ideas, “Cinderella” feels like the natural bridge between her past work and this new era as it contains abstract lyricism and funk-inspired instrumentation.
Remi’s latest album Big Ideas leans more into the classicism of her sound, heavily inspired by the production of past decades. The first single, “Cinderella” feels like the natural bridge between her past work and this new era as it contains abstract lyricism and funk-inspired instrumentation. Moving down the tracklist, “Cherries & Cream” features a guitar riff that is beyond reminiscent of the ‘70s while the hit single off the record, “Soup” kicks off with a blend of Prophet synths and drums drenched in the iconic gated reverb that defined the '80s.
Remi’s set included two songs not on her discography, the first of which being “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane but made popular to Remi’s audience by a Rascal Flats cover featured in Pixar’s Cars. Remi shouts out International Lesbian Day ahead of Atlanta Pride to come later in the week, one of the largest Pride parades in the United States. The crowd erupts at the singer waving pride flags as the song’s bluesy twang comes to an end.
Playing off her own tendency for absurdity in her lyrics, Remi asked the audience for a word. She and her band then improvised a song using this crowd-funded prompt. On the second night of her Atlanta shows, Remi is given the word “poo.” She belts out the lyrics over a slow and sentimental backing, “I’m going number two. I’m gonna take it right on down and flush it down the drain.”
Wolf has said herself that she tends to hide behind the abstract nature of her lyrics, to ensure only she knows the true meaning of many of her songs. In “Soup,” she drops this tactic. Coming at the end of her set, she opens up in the chorus, belting with layers of harmonies behind her. She’s wrestling with the whirlwind life of a musician, trying to balance her career with personal struggles, including maintaining a relationship. Despite the heavy lyrics, Wolf gets the crowd jumping along, as the light wall behind her emulates a disco ball, further nodding to the production of the song.
As she closed her set with the song that started it all, “Photo ID,” it is clear that Remi Wolf’s live show is a testament to her versatility as an artist. Her ability to seamlessly blend eccentricity, humor, and raw emotion showcases a performer in full command of her craft. While her studio work may at times mask some of her vocal prowess, her live performance reveals her depth and talent. As Wolf continues to evolve, it’s clear she’s not just riding the wave of social media fame; she’s paving a path all her own.