At a packed Sinclair, the English-born artist blew the crowd away with her infectious stage presence and poignant storytelling.
If Rachel Chinouriri’s show at the Sinclair was an indication of anything, it’s that pop music is so back. After a stint as an opener for Sabrina Carpenter’s European tour this spring, the English singer-songwriter embarked on her first official US tour, dazzling audiences with songs from her 2024 album, What A Devastating Turn of Events. Her show at the Sinclair on May 18 was not only a showcase of her sonic abilities, but also a celebration of Black women in indie pop music.
Before Chinouriri hit the stage, however, she was joined by two incredible openers: Bizzy and Alemeda. Bizzy, a Maryland-born indie pop singer, opened the night with a bang. She connected with the audience through her energetic presence and relationship-related pop anthems, taking the crowd through her self-described “downhill shit show” of a love life. With songs like “Tuesday” and “Don’t Tell The Girls,” her upbeat pop melodies had the crowd dancing along and screaming to lyrics like “I don’t get breakups.” She ended her set with “Anybody,” her debut single that went viral on TikTok in 2022 for its slowed-down pop sound and honest lyrics: “I say that I’m picky but don’t trust the things I say / I’d bet all my money I could fall in love with anybody.”
The second opener, Alemeda, was just as infectious, continuing to prepare the crowd for the main act with her lively pop and alt rock tunes. Throughout the set, the Ethiopian-Sudanese singer-songwriter performed a mix of unreleased songs and ones “we know and love,” teasing upcoming projects like a collaboration with Doechii. From relationships to friendship breakups, Alemeda’s songs touched on relatable topics with a backdrop of rhythmic melodies filled with pop, rock, and R&B influences. She put her all into her performance of songs like “Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows” and “Don’t Call Me,” resulting in her needing to use her inhaler on stage. Alemeda’s genre-blending performance was sure to make fans of audience members who may not have been familiar with her before.
The two openers primed the crowd for Rachel Chinouriri’s highly-anticipated entrance. The energy was out of this world as Chinouriri – clad in a sparkly top and animal print pants – launched into “Garden of Eden,” the opening track from What A Devastating Turn of Events. Throughout her set, she had listeners belting along with her lyrics and two-stepping to songs like “It Is What It Is” and “23:42.” Song after song, she provided breathtaking vocals rivaling her recorded versions, while also dancing around the stage and engaging with the audience. The crowd was enraptured, clinging on to every moment of the set.
While many of Chinouriri’s pop songs are bubbly and upbeat, others are filled with poignant meanings. “Robbed,” for example, is about losing someone unexpectedly and feeling robbed of the time you were meant to spend with them, and her performance of “So My Darling” evoked wistful feelings of love and nostalgia. She also took the time during her set to emphasize the significance of her tour and success. While introducing “Even,” her collaboration with Cat Burns, and inviting Alemeda on stage to perform with her, Chinouriri discussed how hard it was to get to this point in her career as a Black woman in indie pop. But despite the barriers she’s faced, she expressed gratitude at being able to make the music she does and perform to audiences like these.
The end of the set concluded with her hits “Can We Talk About Isaac?,” “All I Ever Asked,” and “Never Need Me,” which are certified pop classics in the making. It was a dance party on the Sinclair floor, with the audience’s singing drowning out Chinouriri’s vocals. All of this was evidence of one thing: Rachel Chinouriri is the one to watch in the indie pop space. She is a multifaceted performer, able to switch between playful pop anthems to yearning ballads at the drop of a hat. Her music has the ability to transport listeners, and her stage presence is engaging and invigorating. Keep an eye out for her upcoming releases, and be sure to catch her the next time she performs in Boston.