Corook and Kel Cripe at asbury hall
BY SHOLOMECorook and Kel Cripe (opener) performed at Asbury Hall in Buffalo, New York on March 7th. You may have heard of Corook when they took queer TikTok by storm when their songs "if i were a fish" and "THEY!" went viral. The moment you listen to either of these songs, you will be hooked and willing to join "a frog hat-wearing queer cult" led by Corook. Their music is such a ray of sunshine and importance, especially now that the LGBTQ+ community is experiencing such hardships under this administration. During their show, they created such a beautiful space for everyone to be their authentic selves and, for a moment, allow everyone to forget the outside worries and enjoy the now with them and everyone in the room.
Kel Cripe, a comedian, started the night off. If that name sounds familiar to you, it is for good reasons. Kel went viral on TikTok with their video "SCRAM," which became popular enough to the point when Taylor Swift was on tour, and Cam (one of their backup dancers) did his bit during "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was "SCRAM!"
Kel had the whole audience belly-laughing throughout her entire set. She wasn't shy about making fun of themself, and the whole set was wholesome in that Kel felt very comfortable. Toward the end of her set, they picked up a guitar and sang for everyone.
It was a refreshing change to have Kel Cripe, a comedian, as the opening act. Her set was a delightful departure from the usual musical performances, and it left the audience intrigued and engaged.
Corook's performance in Buffalo came at a poignant time. Just days before the show, the Buffalo queer community mourned the loss of Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto. Their absence was deeply felt, but Corook's music that night brought a much-needed sense of comfort and healing.
Corook started the night with "if i were a fish," a crowd favorite that set the bar high for the rest of the night. Throughout the entire set, Corook created such a beautiful atmosphere. The audience was right there with them from the moment they took the stage, singing and dancing.
In these challenging times, LGBTQ+ artists like Corook, Victoria Canel, Molly Grace, Tory Sivan, Lauren Sanderson, Sammy Rae, and many others play a crucial role. They remind us that we are not alone and that we have a community that stands with us. They share our sorrows and our joys. It's a call to action to continue supporting LGBTQ+ artists, especially those in our local communities.
