AURORA delivered an unforgettable performance at The Anthem in D.C. during one of the final stops of her 2024 What Happened To The Earth? Part 2 tour. The nine-city journey across North America followed the release of her fourth studio album, What Happened To The Heart? this past June. Known for her eclectic style, which includes synth, drums, and keyboard melodies, AURORA captivates audiences by experimenting with a variety of genres such as Nordic folk, alt-pop, and dark-pop, forming her unique sound in the electropop music realm.
Supporting the North American leg of the tour was rising pop star Biig Piig, an Irish singer and rapper currently based in West London. She showcased tracks like “Oh No,” “Roses and Gold,” and “Sunny,” followed by her most recent release, “4AM.” Towards the end of her set, the audience waved their arms and chanted the chorus to her 2020 hit, “Switch,” getting everyone energized as Biig Piig and her bandmates bounced around the stage with enthusiasm. Thanks to her energetic performance and catchy songs, she quickly hyped up the crowd.
Fans of all ages populated the iconic venue, chatting and taking photos with each other—many adorned in intricate outfits and costumes reflecting AURORA’s unique wardrobe—ready to sing and dance the night away. The excitement was tangible, and the energy only increased as the crowd steadily filled all three floors, eagerly anticipating the main act.
As the lights dimmed signaling the beginning of AURORA’s performance, cheers erupted from the audience, tempered by a sense of curiosity as she suddenly appeared on a large screen. Glancing around the venue as if looking for someone or something, the projection quietly asked, “Hello?” After the mysterious clip ended, AURORA’s silhouette emerged against bright lights, and she elegantly crossed the stage to stand behind a red microphone as the opening chords of “Churchyard” filled the air.
Barefoot and dressed in a whimsical white ensemble, she enchanted the audience with tracks from her expansive discography. The first half featured songs like “Through the Eyes of a Child” from 2016, 2019 track “Soulless Creatures,” “A Soul With No King” from her latest album, and finally the beloved viral hit, “Runaway.”
AURORA took a moment to engage with the crowd, addressing concerns about current events, divided opinions, and global injustices. She emphasized the importance of having empathy, encouraging everyone to show kindness, share beauty, and to continue to forge connections for a healing world. AURORA is well known for her advocacy on social and environmental issues, using her music to raise awareness and inspire change.
Continuing with her thoughtfully curated set list, AURORA navigated themes of humanity and emotions with tracks like “Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)” and “The Dark Dresses Lightly.” Stunning visuals accompanied each song, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that displayed images such as whimsical crescent moons with mischievous eyes and ominous clouds against dark red skies, enhancing the story woven through her music. Fans danced and sang along, fully immersed in the journey she crafted.
During a pause, AURORA read off various fan signs and, sharing a light-hearted moment, commented on a child peacefully dozing on their father’s shoulders, “Resting so sweetly, while I’m up here screaming my lungs out!” she laughed. She then recounted her day in D.C., including a fun, if not disastrous, bowling adventure, and expressed appreciation for her band and crew, acknowledging their hard work throughout the tour.
As the show approached its conclusion, AURORA performed a few more tracks, including “Starvation” from her newest album. When she left the stage, the audience immediately began chanting for more, their spirits undeterred. Returning for a brief encore, she closed out with a couple songs centered on themes of self-healing and self-love.
Despite the rather large venue, AURORA’s endearing personality and incredible storytelling fostered a warm, intimate atmosphere. By the end of the night, the audience cheerfully departed fully inspired by such a memorable and moving performance.
Photos and words by Sarah Peter.
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Keep up with Biig Piig: Instagram // X // Facebook
