ARIANA AND THE ROSE performs in dc

BY EJ JOLLY (THEY/THEM)

Pie Shop, a unique fusion of a bakery, concert venue, and record store, is pretty unassuming from the outside. The stage is on the 2nd floor, featuring a beautiful bar and modest stage with incredible acoustics. Maybe next time I'm there for a show, I'll be able to try their vegan cherry pie. But this time, I was here to see the up-and-coming NYC pop artist Ariana and The Rose. Hailing from Brooklyn with the full-length 2022 album Lonely Hearts Club under her belt, it was destined to be a great night out.

There were two opening acts, KC B. Yoncé and Bombalicious Eklaver- both local DC drag queens. Bombalicious called KC "the best Beyoncé impersonator in the city!" and she certainly delivered a strong performance in the same spirit as Queen Bey. Bombalicious had an incredibly varied set- starting with some crowd work, she invited a fan onstage for a spirited rendition of Ariana's song, "Fuck Boy". The inclusion of a relationship testing game (where each one member of the team had to feed the other a banana blindfolded) added a delightful twist with members of Ariana's family participating, and the set ended with a show-stopping performance to a unique mashup track.

Ariana burst onto the stage with the intensity of a roaring flame, flanked by backup dancers in striking matching red suits. Her music, high-energy dance pop, delves into themes of life, self-empowerment, and the process of moving on from outgrown relationships. Despite the pulsating beats and lively atmosphere, the show maintained an unexpected intimacy in the small space between stage and dance floor. Taking a break from dancing, Ariana settled herself behind her keyboard before sharing a story about her recent breakup. "You have to break up with the person, and then you have to break up with the plans you made," she espoused. "Did I Tell You" is an incredibly heartfelt piece about not just the things she wishes she could tell her previous partner, but the things she wanted to do together. She easily turns incredibly personal experiences into powerful musical narratives.

Showcasing not only her musical prowess but also her ability to connect with the audience on a deeper level, Ariana and the Rose is undoubtedly an artist worth keeping an eye on. With a trajectory pointing toward the moon and stars, it's only up to her how high she will aim.