When it comes to bold, unapologetic and boundary-pushing female pop stars in the Italian music landscape, no one is doing it like Elodie.
She’s come a long way from her first appearance on a popular talent show a few years back, and hit after hit she’s clawed her way to the top of the Italian music scene. 2023 was a standout year for her, marked by her participation to Sanremo (Italy’s biggest music festival), a 2x platinum summer hit with fellow singer and songwriter Marco Mengoni, the release of an album (Ok. Respira), a mixtape (Red Light) and her first tour. And this tour is what I’d like to tell you about since I’ve been lucky enough to experience it firsthand.
Elodie kicked off the show with the first three tracks from Ok. Respira, immediately transporting the crowd into the world and sound they’ve come to love. As the songs seamlessly flowed into one another, we were soon met with a carefully crafted mix of tunes from her previous LP (This Is Elodie), a couple of her summer chart-topping collaborations and, of course, more gems from her latest album, including the title track.
By this point the energy in the room was already sky-high, but the real magic unfolded next: a condensed version of each track from the electro, dance and house-infused mixtape Red Light took the vibe through the roof. If you didn't know any better, you'd think you stumbled into a club – music blaring, people singing, dancing, and having an absolute blast. The atmosphere was further elevated by stunning light shows, eclectic choreography (that at some point turned into a pole dance performance by Elodie herself) and an overall mesmerizing stage setup. A standout moment in this segment was a perfectly timed fan action where everyone covered their phone's glowing flashlight with a red piece of paper while Red Light played in the background, turning a simple and pretty common gesture into something uniquely special for the show.
As the vibrant sounds faded, the pop anthems from her aforementioned album and additional hits from her collaboration catalog took center stage. Since the show I’ve attended was the last one of the tour, Elodie went all out with special guests: Piero Pelù, Sfera Ebbasta and Annalisa took turns on the stage to sing with her, adding an extra layer of excitement and making the event truly unforgettable.
As the night drew to an end, she treated us to back-to-back performances of her most popular hits, providing a final rush of euphoria before graciously thanking everyone and leaving the stage.
I'll be completely honest – I didn’t know what to expect from an Elodie show, and that probably played a part in enjoying it as much as I did. From the intricate choreography to the beautiful outfits to the electrifying performances and guest appearances, every detail was thought out to give fans an amazing experience.
One thing’s for sure though, I can't wait to see (and hear) what she has in store for her next project!