SWEAT
SWEAT
Embedded Files
Presentation by James Miller
Presentation by James Miller
September 25, Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Center
September 25, Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Center
SHYGIRL
SHYGIRL
Shygirl is a British rapper, singer, and DJ known for her genre-bending style that fuses elements of grime, UK garage, and experimental electronic music. Her music addresses themes of identity, sexuality, and power, often challenging conventional beauty standards and industry expectations for female artists. Since the release of her trippy debut single, 2016’s “Want More,” with producer Sega Bodega, she has continued to craft "bold, sexy rap bars over strange, brash club sounds, all packaged with off-kilter aesthetics" (Joshi, 2022). Her collaborations with artists like FKA twigs, Slowthai, and Lady Gaga, along with viral moments like her song “Uckers” becoming a TikTok trend have solidified her as a key figure in redefining contemporary pop and club music.
TROYE SIVAN
TROYE SIVAN
Troye Sivan is an Australian singer-songwriter and actor who first gained popularity as a YouTuber. His music career took off with his debut album, Blue Neighbourhood, which explored themes of queerness and sensuality. He has since become one of the most visible gay pop stars, using his platform to discuss LGBTQ+ issues. Before shifting his focus to music, Sivan made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, appearing in the Spud film trilogy and playing young James Howlett in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. His early success on YouTube, where his channel accumulated over 250 million views and made him the third most subscribed Australian YouTuber, helped establish his influence, paving the way for his transition to music (Youtt, 2018).
CHARLI XCX
CHARLI XCX
Charli xcx is a British pop star who rose to fame in the early 2010s. Over the years, she has transformed from a mainstream pop star to a genre-defying artist known for her experimental approach to pop music. Her collaborations with artists like SOPHIE and A.G. Cook have significantly impacted the hyper-pop movement, and her influence extends beyond music into fashion trends and visual art. Her team’s marketing strategies, like the “brat generator” that allowed fans to create their own art based on her album cover, highlight her innovative approach to connecting with her audience. As her digital strategist Terry O’Connor notes, a “big focus” of the campaign was about “making and creating real-life, in-person moments” that fans could then share digitally, blurring the line between music, art, and interactive media (Robinson, 2024).
Before the Event
Before attending the SWEAT tour with Charli xcx, Troye Sivan, and Shygirl, I was overwhelmed with excitement. My anticipation was so intense that I had a minor anxiety attack. My boyfriend helped calm me down, which enabled me to enjoy the rest of the evening. The excitement stemmed from seeing the social media buzz, Instagram clips, and hype surrounding the tour, which created a powerful sense of urgency and anticipation. Knowing that precious shows featured surprise guests like Lorde and Addison Rae further heightened my excitement and set my expectations high for the night. Seeing other fans’ reactions on social media also made me feel more connected to the community around the tour.
During the Event
The venue was the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia: A large, modern arena that contributed to the magnitude of the concert. Before the show, I was happy to see that they played some of my favorite artists in the pre-concert music playlist, such as “Bipp” by SOPHIE (my all-time favorite artist), “2 die 4” by Addison Rae, and “Everything is Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira. Listening to these songs set the perfect atmosphere and made me feel more at home, jamming out with my boyfriend in the relatively empty arena before the concert began. We shared popcorn and a chicken sandwich, which added a relaxed, almost celebratory vibe to the night.
After the Event
Overall, the SWEAT tour was more than just a concert. It was a cultural reset. The entire experience felt iconic, almost spiritual, as it created a space that was both liberating and celebratory. The way this music brought together all types of people, regardless of gender, race, or sexuality, made it feel transformative. Each performance had a sense of defiance and joy that made it feel like a shared celebration of self-expression and identity in a way that transcended the usual concert experience.
My boyfriend (Kyle) and I outside the arena before the event.
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SHYGIRL'S PERFORMANCE
SHYGIRL'S PERFORMANCE
The concert opened with Shygirl, an artist known for her innovative fusion of experimental electronic music and rap. Shygirl’s EP Club Shy is one of my personal favorites, and she performed several tracks from it, including “4eva” and “tell me.” Her stage presence and comedic interactions with the audience were captivating. Shygirl’s identity as a queer Black woman and her defiance of typical industry expectations stood out. Her performance expressed the ability to break stereotypes and thrive in an industry that often marginalizes women of color and LGBTQ+ artists. The performance area felt intimate, even in such a large venue, because she engaged with the crowd and seemed to be genuinely in the moment.
TROYE SIVAN'S PERFORMANCE
TROYE SIVAN'S PERFORMANCE
Troye Sivan’s performance was another highlight. His set design, like the rest of the tour, used bold lettering and simple yet striking colors. The red, “SWEAT” text against an electric blue background was eye-catching and memorable, contributing to the tour’s cohesive aesthetic. This simplicity echoes Charli xcx, particularly her BRAT album's (June 2024) aesthetic, utilizing a black Arial font on a lime green background.
Troye’s song choices, like “Got Me Started” and “One Of Your Girls” from his album Something To Give Each Other, reflected a strong focus on queer identity, exploring themes like masculinity, desire, and the complexities of closeted gay relationships. For instance, the lyrics of “One Of Your Girls” highlight the painful dynamic of being desired in secret by closeted men who exploit their partners without reciprocating emotional connection. This performance was visually emphasized through the use of drag, challenging traditional masculinity and pushing against the heteronormative boundaries of pop music. The provocative show made a powerful statement, normalizing queer stories and providing a voice for marginalized experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.
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CHARLI XCX'S PERFORMANCE
CHARLI XCX'S PERFORMANCE
Charli xcx’s set was similarly enchanting. Known for her boundary-pushing sound and aesthetic, Charli continued to redefine pop culture. Her BRAT album set the tone for the tour’s bold, minimalist visuals, which use simple color schemes and pixelated graphics to create a distinct brand. Her stage presence and ability to captivate the audience was electrifying. The interplay between Charli and Troye, switching sets and performing duets, felt dynamic and fresh.
The minimalist branding signifies power in its simplicity. It stands out in a cluttered pop landscape, using subtlety to demand attention. This aesthetic has influenced the broader pop culture, signaling a shift away from the overproduced and towards a more stripped-down, authentic expression of identity. It also represents a reclamation of power for queer and alternative artists, offering a visual language that communicates confidence and defiance.
Significance of the Genre (Gay Pop/Electronic)
The genre explored during this concert can be classified as “gay pop” or queer pop, an emerging sub-genre of mainstream pop that centers on LGBTQ+ narratives, aesthetics, and experiences. This genre often includes hyper-pop elements and is heavily influenced by electronic music, which, as some argue, "symbolizes profound transformation and expression" by serving "as a platform for the queer community to articulate its identity, creativity, and resistance" (Broce, 2024). Artists like Charli xcx, Troye Sivan, Shygirl, and SOPHIE have been pivotal in creating a distinct “gay pop” sound that blends vulnerability, defiance, and celebration of queer identity.
Beyond its musical elements, queer pop reinvents the visual and performative aesthetics of pop music, embracing gender fluidity, escapism, and stage tendencies that challenge cultural norms. Gay identities can be discussed more openly in media like music videos, album art, and stage plays that frequently involve bright, surreal imagery that combats popular culture clichés. This visual boldness highlights the roots of queer pop in LGBTQ+ subcultures, from drag and dancing to experimental fashion, and sets it apart from standard pop. Queer pop musicians create an inclusive space for self-expression by rejecting heteronormative standards. Their genre-bending techniques appeal to audiences who are looking for music that represents a range of identities and experiences.
Apple - A. G. Cook
Hyper-pop
Hyper-pop
Charli xcx has been a trailblazer in this field, working with SOPHIE, A. G. Cook, and other hyper-pop producers to develop a unique sound that is futuristic, experimental, and unapologetically queer. Hyperpop, often described as a parody of pop that "almost pokes fun and pushes the bounds of that kind of quirky, traditional, radio popstar sound," is distinct from mainstream pop niches while amplifying queer voices (Enis, 2020). Her collaborations with queer artists have helped shape the “gay pop” genre, making it more visible and accessible. Similarly, Troye Sivan’s music addresses themes of queer desire and heartbreak, offering representation and solidarity for LGBTQ+ fans. Shygirl’s music, with its darker, club-like aesthetic, disrupts traditional pop structures and offers a different perspective on queer artistry.
OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES - SOPHIE
10,000 gecs - 100 gecs
Reflection of Identity
Reflection of Identity
In our class, we’ve discussed how music can be an expression of identity, functioning as a way for people to navigate and negotiate aspects of themselves, whether it’s ethnicity, sexuality, or gender. This concert with Charli xcx, Troye Sivan, and Shygirl provided a vivid example of this idea in action. Each artist’s performance was a distinct narrative of their identity and self-expression, reinforcing the idea that music is not just entertainment. It’s a platform for self-representation and community building.
Reflection of Identity - Shygirl’s Performance
Reflection of Identity - Shygirl’s Performance
Her performance resonated deeply with the discussions of intersectionality we’ve had in class. Shygirl’s music and aesthetic challenges the norms of both the rap and pop genres. She defies stereotypes about how Black woman should sound or perform, asserting a complex identity that merges race, gender, and queerness. This aligns with our class readings on how music can be a space for reclaiming identity, where marginalized voices can resist and redefine societal narratives. Shygirl’s self-presentation on stage became an act of defiance against mainstream expectations, demonstrating how music can construct identity, as discussed in our examination of how musical genres shape racial and gender perceptions.
Reflection of Identity - Troye Sivan’s Performance
Troye’s lyrics often focus on the queer experience, from the highs of being openly gay to the lows of navigating intimacy in a heteronormative society. In class, we explored and analized music stereotypes in the media. Troye’s songs, such as “One Of Your Girls,” bring to light the emotional toll of being fetishized or hidden by closeted partners (an experience that’s rarely represented in mainstream music). Through this lens, the concert serves as a way to show how music articulates the complexities of queer identity, providing not just representation but a form of emotional unity for LGBTQ+ individuals.
1.6 Discussion: Music and Identity
1.6 Discussion: Music and Identity
The SWEAT tour highlighted how music can be a powerful expression of identity. Each artist performed songs that connected with their unique experiences and performed to a shared sense of identity among their fans. For example, Troye Sivan’s song "One of Your Girls" delves into the experiences of being a gay man in a closeted relationship, using the performance to express a vulnerable, hidden aspect of queer identity. Charli XCX’s rebranding through her album “BRAT” challenges the conventional expectations of female pop stars by embracing rebelliousness and authenticity. This connection between music and identity was evident in the way the crowd responded to each song, with fans expressing their own identities through dancing, fashion, and even the way they sang along. Music became a tool for expressing individuality while simultaneously creating a collective sense of belonging.
2.2 Activity: Music and Stereotypes
2.2 Activity: Music and Stereotypes
In our class, we discussed how music can reinforce or challenge stereotypes, and this was apparent at the SWEAT tour. The audience primarily consisted of LGBTQ+ individuals and young women, reflecting the stereotype that certain pop and electronic music genres are for “girls and gays.” However, the energy of the performance and the diverse backgrounds of the attendees showed that these genres are more inclusive than stereotypes. Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, and Shygirl’s performances played with themes of gender, sexuality, and self-expression, challenging typical notions of masculinity and femininity in music. Seeing Troye Sivan, a prominent gay pop star, use his performance to confront stereotypes around sexuality and identity felt empowering, and made a statement that music doesn’t have to fit into a box to connect deeply with people.
3.1 Fundamental Elements of Music
3.1 Fundamental Elements of Music
The SWEAT tour made the basic musical elements (pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and timbre) visually and audibly prominent. The pitch was used to convey emotion, with Troye’s higher pitches creating a sense of longing and vulnerability, while Charli XCX’s deeper tones emphasized power and confidence. The rhythm was energetic, with quick beats that made it impossible to stand still, reinforcing the feeling of excitement and liberation throughout the show. Dynamics were constantly shifting, with Shygirl’s set, in particular, moving between softer, seductive moments and loud, aggressive choruses, making her performance feel unpredictable and thrilling. The timbre varied between each artist, from Shygirl’s raw, edgy vocal tone to Troye’s soft, delicate voice, and Charli’s strong, bright timbre, giving each set a distinct flavor while maintaining the overarching high-energy vibe of the tour. These elements came together to create a cohesive musical experience that highlighted each artist’s identity and the audience’s collective expression of freedom.
Issues of Power
Issues of Power
The SWEAT tour served as a way to show how power can be challenged and redefined within the music industry and society. Each performer uses their identity and platform to combat expectations and reclaim space. For example, Troye Sivan’s presence as an openly gay male pop star defies the cisheteronormative standards of masculinity in the industry, while Shygirl, a Black artist, challenges stereotypes through her experimental music and provocative performance style, asserting her place in an often exclusionary environment. Inclusivity was also reflected in the audience, which was primarily young, queer, and racially diverse. Here, traditional power structures were flipped as fans drew strength and validation from both the artists and each other, creating a shared equal space. Beyond the stage, the use of social media to share concert experiences and engage with fans allowed the artists to extend their influence in building community, and redefine who has control over creative spaces. Ultimately, the SWEAT tour showed that power is not solely held by the performers, but is also extended to those who listen to the music and engage in the performances.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Broce, R. (2024, March 25). Behind the Beats: The Influence of Queer Culture in Electronic Music - ICONIQA. ICONIQA - Celebrating Queer Excellence. https://iconiqa.co/behind-the-beats-the-influence-of-queer-culture-in-electronic-music
Enis, E. (2020, October 27). This is Hyperpop: A Genre Tag for Genre-less Music. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-is-hyperpop-a-genre-tag-for-genre-less-music/
Joshi, T. (2022, September 26). Shygirl reveals a softer side in her debut full-length album, Nymph. British GQ. https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/shygirl-interview-2022
Robinson, K. (2024, July 23). ‘Brat’ Unfiltered: Charli xcx on How She Stole the Summer (And Worked It Out With Lorde on the Remix). Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/charli-xcx-brat-billboard-cover-story-interview-1235732025/
SWEAT — Troye Sivan & Charli XCX. (n.d.). https://www.sweat-tour.com. https://www.sweat-tour.com/
Youtt, H. (2018, June 14). A Timeline of Troye Sivan’s Career. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/troye-sivan-career-timeline-8460795/
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