Too Busy Partying with BIZZY at The Sinclair
Breakout pop singer-songwriter BIZZY brought her confidence and flair to The Sinclair while supporting Rachel Chinouriri on the All I Ever Asked For Was A North American Tour. The show boasted a killer triple bill, with BIZZY setting the electric tone for the night. She skipped out in a cropped black jersey and pleated skirt, accessorizing with silver statement jewelry. Her name, inspired by a nickname from her father, is a great representation of her playful and bold stage presence. It may be difficult to believe she got her start as a songwriter with stage fright after witnessing her command of the Boston crowd, but it becomes evident after diving into her clever lyricism that she's spent time building a solid foundation for her craft.
BIZZY photographed by Samantha Davidson
The standout track "Don't Tell The Girls" especially energized the venue and was an excellent example of her imaginative songwriting. The song explores the sticky situation of reconnecting with an ex. Lyrics like "Don't tell the girls that I spent the night at his house / He was the worst so I'll never live this down" invited the crowd to feel like a part of this secret, creating a shared closeness and a memorable impression on fans who may not have heard of her before the show. She also naturally interacted with the crowd. At one point, a fan handed her their phone, and she excitedly grabbed it to record on the stage. She flawlessly executed call-and-response moments and paused to share relatable anecdotes about her "shitshow love life" before the song "I Don't Get Breakups," exhibiting her gutsy and go-with-the-flow performance style.
She ended her set with her first release, a fun song about how she could fall for "Anybody." BIZZY shared her genuine gratitude to Chinouriri for having her before escaping backstage to enjoy the rest of the show from the crowd.
BIZZY photographed by Samantha Davidson
Next up was R&B powerhouse Alemeda, who infused addictive rock and pop elements into each of her songs, 4 of which were unreleased. She strutted on stage in a white lace-up tank top, brown leather shorts with fringe, and boho belts, excited to have what she deemed was her "Beyoncé moment" as stage fans majestically blew her hair around. It was the star's first time in Boston, and The Sinclair crowd did not disappoint. Fans emphatically sang along to each track, creating "a room full of love." The energy peaked during "I hate your face," a track she humorously introduced as "a loving song."
Alemeda left it all on the stage, whipping her hair back and forth and kneeling during her guitarist's solo, so much so that she asked for her inhaler before her set ended. Her music and bubbly personality resonated with fans, who all immediately raised their phone flashlights for the final song of her set before her band played her off.
Alemeda photographed by Samantha Davidson
Chinouriri's pre-set playlist infused the venue with energy, with songs like "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence & The Machine, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, and "Von dutch" by Charli xcx foreshadowing her joyous set. The lights finally dimmed, and the crowd released thunderous applause as Chinouriri stepped on stage. She sported a pair of cheetah print jeans, a sparkly silver mesh halter top, and matching sparkly barrettes. She carried herself with a confidence that was a breath of fresh air, allowing fans to relax and fully absorb each moment. She kickstarted her set with the song "Garden of Eden," captivating the crowd with her smooth and silky vocals. She paused to say, "Hello, Boston," smiling ear to ear as she waved to everyone.
Her vivacious energy radiated throughout the room as she dropped to her knees to strum an air guitar, inspiring fans to dance just as freely. Chinouriri is making waves in the pop star space, having just opened for Sabrina Carpenter on her Short n' Sweet Tour in March. She knows firsthand how important an opening set is and took time during her headline show to make sure fans did, too:
"Who saw my opening acts, BIZZY and Alemeda? And by the sound of that, you're all going to go stream their music after this. I want to thank them for making this such an iconic show...Thank you guys so much for being so respectful and kind to them. It's really hard being an opening act, so I appreciate all the love."
Chinouriri brought out Alemeda for the heartfelt song "Even (with Cat Burns)," which discusses the double standards and disparities black women face:
"I make pop music but it's been a real struggle to be able to get this point because of the struggles that come with being a black woman in the industry. I want to thank you all for making this such a safe space for me to be able to express myself...To all the black girls in here, I want you to feel inspired. You're capable of doing whatever you want...I just love how every single show I've done so far on this US tour has been so diverse and beautiful and supportive."
She later led the venue through a calming breathing exercise, inviting everyone to close their eyes and transport themselves to their own "countryside," a concept she revealed is inspired by the place where she wrote her newest album. Chinouriri held the energy high throughout the rest of her set, reminding fans that seeing her in this intimate venue was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Chinouriri cultivated a palpable sense of community by uplifting everyone in the crowd and on stage. She shared how she wanted "to celebrate every single person in this room. You're so unique and beautiful and gorgeous," empowering fans to live authentically. Opening acts Alemeda and BIZZY left their marks on Boston, undoubtedly gaining many new fans after their performances. It's clear Boston already anticipates their return for headline shows. Make sure to catch BIZZY on the road with Alemeda and Rachel Chinouriri before the All I Ever Asked For Was A North American Tour ends in June. Buy tickets here.