On a warm night at the House of Blues in Dallas, fans fled into a sold-out venue dressed as Dorthoty, Todo, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. It turns out we’re not in ‘Kansas Anymore,’ just Role Model’s ‘No Place Like Tour.’ Tucker Pillsbury, also known as Role Model, has taken the pop music scene by storm with the recent release of his newest album Kansas Anymore. This country-western-pop record garnered even more love with the recent release of its deluxe version. With his persona of saintlaurentcowboy, his campaign for Sexist Man Alive, and his devotion to the word ‘diva,’ Tucker has captured the hearts and laughs of fans worldwide.
The lights dimmed and a wave of exhilaration crashed over the audience as they began to scream for Tucker’s debut. It even hit me in the photo pit surrounded by funny signs calling him Sabrina Carpenter and Sexiest Man Alive, that this artist was getting the love that he deserved. The show opened with Writings On the Wall, and the crowd exploded with excitement, reciting every word back to Role Model. He welcomed us to his show by calling himself Wallows and smoothly transitioned into the next song Look at That Woman and Scumbag. Through the sea of cowboy boots, red gingham, and red bows, it felt so full circle hearing the audience sing “We’re not in Kansas anymore; so take me home” at the top of their lungs when The Dinner was played. The night hit a somber note as Tucker slowed things down for the heartfelt song Frances. Though this song references a past relationship with one specific person, the fans have latched on to this melody making it their own as they held up their flashlights and sang along. To pick things back up, Tucker covered Somebody Else by The 1975 and this was a dream come true for fans like me. From there he dove into some of his newest songs from the deluxe such as Old Recliners and Some Protector, my personal favorite. As Tucker slowed down the night for Compromise, fans organized a project for the crowd to place yellow slips of paper over their flashlights when he sang “The sun will always rise.” During this heartfelt display from his fans, he stated that “these songs I’m singing were written so long ago” and that he’s “filled with so much love and happiness now” as he sings them back to the crowd. He thanks everyone in the room and tells us it’s time to dance now! blind, a throwback song off of his debut album Rx got everyone on their feet. The crowd erupted when they heard the opening guitar chord to this next song. Now personally, it did hurt to see forever&more off the setlist but I can overlook it since Sally, When The Wine Runs Out is such a hit and the audience agreed. The venue was already buzzing with energy as Tucker reached the famous bridge of Sally but to everyone’s surprise, he began asking where his diva was and gesturing for someone to come from backstage. Soon after, internet comedian and fellow diva Jake Shane joined him on stage to sing the bridge of the song and the room exploded with cheers and screams for the duo.
The night closed with Deeply Still In Love, a perfect upbeat song to end this night of laughter, heartbreaking songs, and dancing like no one was watching. As I left the venue with my ruby red ‘No Place Like Tour’ tote bag and Kansas Anymore CD in hand, I realized I was Deeply Still In Love with this album and saintlaurentcowboy.
ROLE MODEL
DEBBII DAWSON
Photos + Review by Kayla Middleton | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!