Welcome back to Pop Loser! This past weekend saw the return of the Stranger’s Genius Awards, and I’ll fill you in on the highlights. I’ve also got a Macklemore update, I dig into some new music, and say goodbye to fashion icon Bob Mackie. Plus, oh my god, have you seen Orville Peck’s PlayGirl spread!?
This Week in Music:
This week in Strangerland, we hosted the first Genius Awards in ten years at the Moore Theatre on Saturday, and it was an astronomical success. Tears were shed, gags were had, laughs were abundant, and we were all reminded of the amazing, thriving art scenes within Seattle. Props to each winner—The Beacon Cinema, Anastacia-Reneé, Kay Redden/Den Tapes, Betty Wetter & Tush, Lisa Bi, and Actualize Artist in Residency—who graced the stage and delivered smart, heartfelt, inspiring, and funny speeches. Your charm and charisma radiated to the last row. I could literally feel everyone in the audience falling in love.
After the award ceremony, Shabazz Palaces stole my heart. Joined by a backing band of local musicians Thaddeus “Thaddillac” Turner, Gerald “Tugboat” Turner, Carlos Overall, and Darrius Willrich, Ishmael Butler turned the theater into a spaceship, previewing tracks from their new album, It’s a Style Sport (out October 23). The standout for me was the closer—a new song called “Tongue In Chic”—which was reminiscent of a ’90s Brian Eno song. In the song, Butler raps coolly, “New girlfriend, that’s what I need,” and goes on to regale us with his experience dating a woman who claimed to be a chef but has an empty fridge and no utensils. This song was fucking funny and cool. And to Butler…where can I submit an application to be your new girlfriend? (You think I’m kidding but I’m not!)
Now, for a Macklemore update: As mentioned last week, I am putting my dislike for white rappers aside and supporting our hometown dude Macklemore, who’s been using his platform to speak out against genocide. And boy, have there been some updates on this story. Macklemore announced on Monday that he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s The Loop tour, explaining that billionaire Patriots owner (and documented pal of Jeffrey Epstein) Robert Kraft called Sheeran. “We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group,” Macklemore writes. “Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Sheeran shared a statement of his own on Tuesday, explaining that booting Macklemore from the tour was the promoter’s decision, not his. He also attempted to explain his apolitical stance, writing, “There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics—my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.” Because, you know, young people famously don’t care about politics. Read the full statement here.
Sheeran has, indeed, used his professional platform for politics. The man has said enough about politics to land a “political views” section on his Wikipedia page. In 2017, Sheeran publicly endorsed the Labour Party. In 2022, he showed support for Ukraine ahead of his appearance at Concert for Ukraine, a benefit show raising money for humanitarian aid. In 2024, he criticized the Tory government for cutting arts funding.
Spice up ya life! There are so many great live shows happening in Seattle this week: Hildegard Fest, Lily Allen, The B-52s & DEVO, Michelle Branch, Aldous Harding, Arlo Parks. But I’m most excited for Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice) at the Showbox this Saturday, supporting her new solo album Sweat. I had the pleasure of interviewing Melanie C this week (coming soon!), and I can confirm that she will be performing a few songs by the Spice Girls(!!)!
New music you should know about: Chastity Belt dropped two new songs this week, “I Could Say Less” and “Pavement,” which are both perfectly moody. Shygirl announced her new album Swallow! (out November 6), releasing the dreamy lead single “Lucky[Hymn].” Tinashe shared two more single tracks from her highly anticipated album Popstar, “Pillow Fight” and “I’d Rather Be Alone.” Jenn Champion’s indie rock band Carissa’s Wierd also announced their first album in 25 years, Somewhere Further Than Far Away (out January 7), with the new song “No One Lives Here Anymore.”
RIP Bob Mackie. The legendary fashion designer and costumier, best known for dressing Cher, Tina Turner, Carol Burnett, and Dolly Parton in jaw-dropping sequins and feathers, died on Monday at the age of 87 from pneumonia.
Now, take a deep breath and enjoy Orville Peck’s Playgirl spread:
Music Events Worth Your Hard-Earned Money This Week:
Melanie C Sept 19, The Showbox, 8:30 pm, 21+
Arlo Parks: Desire Tour Sept 21, Showbox SoDo, 8 pm, all ages
Dolly Parton Tribute Show Sept 23, Tractor Tavern, 8 pm, all ages
Lily Allen Performs West End Girl Sept 24, Paramount Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
Seattle Open Orchestra at the Wayward Music Series Sept 24, Chapel Performance Space, 8 pm, all ages
The B-52s & DEVO: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour Sept 25, Climate Pledge Arena, 7 pm, all ages
Peter Hook & The Light Sept 25, The Showbox, 8:30 pm, 21+
A Conversation with Questlove Sept 26, Town Hall Seattle, 7:30 pm, all ages
Aldous Harding Sept 26, Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
Zookraught, Happy Death Men, Fatal Femmes, Mussel Sept 26, Black Lodge, 7 pm, all ages
JPEGMAFIA: The Experimental Rap Tour Sept 27, Showbox SoDo, 7:30 pm, 18+
Kehlani Sept 27, Climate Pledge Arena, 6:30 pm, all ages
Michelle Branch: Everywhere And Back Again Tour Sept 27, The Showbox, 8 pm, all ages
Sophie Truax: Can’t Split a Worm Tour Sept 27, Tractor Tavern, 8 pm, 21+
The Songs That Keep Me Up at Night:
“Naked” by The Spice Girls
Growing up means revisiting the Spice Girls and enjoying their sexy songs more than their girl-power anthems. I am obsessed with “Naked” lately, which sounds like it could be on Madonna’s Erotica album.
“running” by Lillie West
Lala Lala’s Lillie West dropped the instrumental piano album, Wall Tongue, this week, and I’m completely entranced by it. If you’re a fan of Virginia Astley, Dorothy Carter, and Mary Lattimore, I think you’ll love it too.
