It’s been four years since Alexandra Hughes, whose stage name is Allie X, released her last full-length record, Cape God, but with the arrival of the gothic dance pop queen’s third full-length release, Girl With No Face, Allie X makes up that time with a vibrancy and ferocity that’s undeniable.
The self-produced Girl With No Face was released in February of this year, and though Allie X featured danceable electronic jams in the past, the focus on a decidedly 1980’s feel makes songs like “Weird World” and “Galina” feel like classics.
The Toronto-based artist brought her Weird World Tour to The Recher in Towson on Sunday to an enthusiastic crowd. And kicking off the evening was none other than drag performer extraordinaire Violet Chachki who brought an amazing performance that set the mood for what was to follow.
As the lights went down and smoke began to gather over the stage, a masked figure came out pantomiming the words to Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face” before the guitarist and keyboard player, also masked ala Phantom of the Opera took the stage before the Allie X appeared center stage through a veil of smoke and light.
Shedding a cloak and mask, herself, Allie X kicked into the early single and fan favorite “Bitch”- a meditation of sorts on relationship and control. And this crowd was loving it! Most of the set came from the latest record, and I was taken with the audience participation as everyone was clapping and singing along to every word.
Watch the Official Video for “Weird World” by Allie X on YouTube:
Allie X is an engaging presence, and it was hard not to find yourself lost in not only her voice (and that astounding range) but also her theatricality. In a club like The Recher, there is an intimacy that makes it feel like she’s singing to each person there individually. And that’s not an easy feat.
There is a thread throughout Allie X’s work that circles that theme of losing something or someone and then rediscovering (or discovering) one’s self. Songs like “Bon Voyage” and, more literally, “You Slept On Me” are handbooks on self-care with lines like I held my tongue for about long enough / It’s about damn time that I spoke up. And that’s a big part of the pull. You’re hooked by the beat but you stay for the encouragement and feelings of self-worth.
Some of Allie X’s best were saved for last with “Galina” (a personal favorite from the new album) and the delightfully bouncy “Super Duper Party People.” But the pièce de résistance was the new single, “Off With Her Tits.”
The setlist included:
Bitch
Weird World
Black Eye
Girl With No Face
Bon Voyage
Fresh Laundry
Science
You Slept on Me
John and Jonathan
Galina
Super Duper Party People
Off With Her Tits
Encore:
Susie Save Your Love
Old Habits Die Hard
Truly Dreams
Here are more photos of Allie X performing at The Recher. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
And here are more photos of Violet Chachki opening at The Recher.
