The Rise of Chappell Roan: A Pop Star’s Meteoric Ascent
A Small Crowd, a Big Moment
In September 2023, Chappell Roan opened the tour for her debut album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," in Roseville, Calif., at the Goldfield Trading Post, a venue that holds 600 people. Last Friday night, she held court before a festival crowd of 10,000 at the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. This is a small crowd for the rising pop star, who has been making waves in the music industry with her synth-pop hits and captivating live performances.
A Transformative Few Months
The last few months have been transformative for Roan, 26, who released her first EP in 2017, was dropped by her label in 2020, and then began a fruitful collaboration with songwriter and producer Daniel Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, Sky Ferreira). Since her declaration, "I’m your favorite artist’s favorite artist," at Coachella in April, she has seemingly been everywhere – on TikTok, YouTube, talk shows, and NPR’s Tiny Desk.
Forcing the Issue: How to Keep Up with Demand
Roan’s team has been forced to confront a problem: How do you continue playing a tour that was booked before you became one of the year’s buzziest pop acts? "Coachella was a paradigm shift," said Jackie Nalpant, one of Roan’s booking agents. "It’s a zeitgeist moment. You can’t manufacture it." The answer has been to upgrade as many markets as possible, moving from small clubs to larger venues and even festivals.
From Small to Big: The Rise to Prominence
Roan’s stage presence is big, and she has the live chops to match. After playing a 200-capacity Los Angeles club in May 2022, she opened for Olivia Rodrigo the next night at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, to 6,000 people. Afterward, her manager, Nick Bobetsky, recalled, "She’s like, ‘That feels natural to me.’" Since then, she has played to massive crowds at major festivals, including Governors Ball in New York, where she took the stage dressed as the Statue of Liberty in green-gold body paint.
Word of Mouth and the Power of the Live Performance
As word of Roan’s theatrical live performances spread, demand started to outstrip supply on the road. "I used to say her fan base was not as wide, but it was very deep," said Kiely Mosiman, Roan’s other booking agent. "Like, if you listen to Chappell Roan, you’re a huge fan of Chappell Roan." Now, her listenership is both. In May, she was scheduled to play the National, a 1,500-capacity venue in Richmond, Va. The show was moved to Brown’s Island, which sold out 6,530 tickets.
The Challenges of Going Big
Festival upgrades are trickier; events of that magnitude are plotted out nine to 12 months in advance, and promoters have to guess what’s going to hit big. At Bonnaroo in Tennessee in early June, Roan was moved to the second-largest stage. The producers of two upcoming festivals – Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 1 and Outside Lands in San Francisco on August 11 – are well aware of the impending crush of sparkly fans coming their way.
Safety First: The Concerns of a New Era
Safety is a concern when concertgoers are straining to see their new favorite artist. "We didn’t want a situation where it’s 5:45 and everybody’s trying to go see Chappell Roan," said Frank Krhounek, 48, who attended the Block Party. "That’s when the pushing starts." The Daydream State, which organized the Capitol Hill Block Party, experienced this firsthand, as the main stage area became so jam-packed that some members of the audience, unable to easily reach an exit, passed out or needed to be extracted by security.
Conclusion
Chappell Roan’s meteoric ascent has brought with it a host of challenges and concerns. As she continues to rise to prominence, her team will need to navigate the complexities of upgrading venues, managing demand, and ensuring the safety of her fans. One thing is certain, however: Roan’s passion, creativity, and infectious energy have captured the hearts of a generation, and her star will continue to shine bright.
FAQs
Q: How did Chappell Roan get her start in the music industry?
A: Roan released her first EP in 2017 and was dropped by her label in 2020. She then began collaborating with songwriter and producer Daniel Nigro, which led to her breakthrough moment at Coachella in April.
Q: How has Chappell Roan’s popularity grown?
A: Since her declaration at Coachella, Roan has seemingly been everywhere – on TikTok, YouTube, talk shows, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. Her team has had to upgrade as many markets as possible to keep up with demand.
Q: How is Chappell Roan’s fan base different from others in the industry?
A: Roan’s fan base is characterized by a deep and devoted following. "If you listen to Chappell Roan, you’re a huge fan of Chappell Roan," said Kiely Mosiman, Roan’s booking agent.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing Chappell Roan’s team right now?
A: The biggest challenge is managing the growth of demand and ensuring the safety of fans at larger venues and festivals. "We didn’t want a situation where it’s 5:45 and everybody’s trying to go see Chappell Roan," said Frank Krhounek, 48, who attended the Block Party.
Q: How does Chappell Roan’s team plan to continue growing her popularity?
A: The team will continue to upgrade venues and festivals, while also prioritizing fan safety and experience. As Roan’s manager, Nick Bobetsky, said, "She’s really thoughtful about the experience for fans, especially venue selection, parts of town, gender-neutral bathrooms, like really creating a safe space."
