Paris Paloma Casts a Spell On Boston

Beloved singer-songwriter Paris Paloma bewitched Roadrunner on September 21st in support of her new album, The Fatal Flaw. Boston fairies, the perfect name for her fan base, flocked to the venue in flower crowns, sparkly corsets, and wings. Anyone who entered immediately felt the energy: a haven from the chilly chaos of the outside world. The enchanting Susannah Joffee kickstarted the show. She floated out in a multi-textile textured dress, chic heels, bright pink curly hair, and a bedazzled tiara. Her collection of catchy, relatable tracks, including songs from her recently released debut album Dust Settled and So Will I, captivated the crowd. She shared that she is from Texas, a place she has a love-hate relationship with that inspired the vulnerable track "Texas Baby." She swirled around the stage and danced with the crowd, corralling them to clap along to the beat. For those who might not have heard of her, Chappell Roan fans in particular would enjoy her catalog and powerful, bright vocals. She executed theatrical vocal flips and swelling melodies that emphasized emotional depth on punchy tracks like "All I See Is A Sky." She ended her set with the song "Die Your Daughter," belting out high notes effortlessly. The complex, thematically rich track about identity and growing pains showcased her talented songwriting, making her a natural double bill for Paris Paloma. 

The preshow playlist set a euphoric tone for the night, featuring empowering picks from fellow female artists, including Boygenius, Florence + The Machine, Sarah Kinsley, and Kate Bush. Soon after, the stage crew walked out and revealed a giant red Paper-mâché tree with draped blue curtains behind it, reminiscent of the lung-like prop and flowy room on The Fatal Flaw album cover, as if Boston stepped into the original set. Fans let out thunderous cheers as the lights dimmed again and Paloma emerged from the smoke. She wore a baby-blue Renaissance-era dress, straight out of her track "Pre-Raphaelite." She delicately waved her arms, creating beautiful shapes with the bell sleeves and long blue fabric tassels. She opened the show with the powerful track "Stem the Flow," holding the mic out and beaming with pride as the audience screamed the lyrics back. The intensely personal track about toxic relationships became a moment of catharsis and joy, reminding everyone of the power of live music.

Paloma switched between dancing in her worn-down ballet flats and standing at the mic with her guitar during songs like "drywall." The singer transformed these acoustic anthems into punchy live tracks, emphasizing the bouncing melodies and infusing bursting passion behind every word. Before "Miyazaki," Paloma delivered a passionate speech about the importance of real artistry in the face of generative AI. She named the song after one of her favorite artists, whose words she wholeheartedly echoed when she shared that he called AI 'an insult to life itself.' The singer applauded Boston for getting the memo, shouting out fan outfits she spotted in the crowd including Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service, Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle, and an elaborate recreation of San from Princess Mononoke complete with makeup, masks, and faux fur.

Paloma held the energy high throughout the rest of the set. She crafted a show that celebrated art, with tracks like "Silhouette on the Hill" and "I Cry in Front of Paintings" showcasing her airy vocals and signature duality, ethereal yet ferocious. The star ended the night with the viral hit "Labour," a song with a powerful feminist message that pulled the mainstream spotlight it deserved. Her smoky, velvety vocals underscored the message and the passion behind it, emphasizing how it remains timely across centuries. Fans sang along emphatically as if it were the first song of the night, feeling a shared sense of support. The room understood the importance of art and expression, dancing with abandon and savoring the show's final moments. Paris Paloma's UK and Europe tour picks up next month. Buy tickets here.