Taylor Swift’s surprise concert, announced with little notice, brought fans from all over the country – dressed in a rainbow of colors – to the Rose Bowl’s lawn. It’s unusual for an artist to generate such excitement, a feat only recently matched by the band Oasis, who built their large following over more than ten years.
Drag queen and DJ Trixie Mattel summed it up perfectly while performing on Saturday as part of her “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things” tour.
“Give it up for the only woman who can get all these f— gay people out in a field!”
Like many others, The Times got caught up in the excitement surrounding Roan’s arrival in Pasadena. We were among the first to report on the emerging artist in 2023, and the photos showed a decidedly low-key style – she was pictured in lavender parachute pants and worn white sneakers, without any of the usual glamour.
Music
Chappell Roan faced a tough moment in her career, but after returning to Los Angeles, she publicly came out and transformed her image into that of a bold, confident pop star. This reinvention helped her become one of the biggest breakout artists of 2023.
Roan almost quit pursuing music. If it hadn’t worked out, they likely would have returned home and pursued careers as a skincare therapist and a drag performer, they explained.
Thankfully, she didn’t.
On Saturday, she’d perform to over 40,000 feverish fans in Pasadena.
Nine hours till Chappell Roan …
The sun is strong in Pasadena, making the Rose Bowl parking lot scorching hot. Even from far away, you can see the umbrellas of fans who have been waiting outside the Brookside gate for hours – some might even be questioning if they made the right decision to come. As you get closer to the entrance, every inch of pavement is covered with beach towels and tapestries, turned into temporary shelters draped over the security gates.
Regina arrived around 6 a.m., after coming from Long Beach, and was thrilled to be the first in line.
She’s been to a few festivals, including Coachella, where she camped out and arrived around 7 a.m. She admits she didn’t expect to be among the very first people there, but ended up being so.
“I feel like I’m just an exception and nobody should follow my example,” she adds, laughing.
She’s put her belongings away and is sheltering from the sun under a small umbrella, holding it up with her hands. Her skin is a little red, so she probably didn’t completely escape the sun’s rays.
I hadn’t met her before, but I’d actually been hoping she’d perform… I’m thrilled to have been able to make it happen.
Near the queue, there were stations with free water – a key feature to help people avoid overheating. Further along, a cooling bus and another water station were available.
Right after the food stalls – where you can find bacon-wrapped hot dogs – is a shop selling event merchandise. It’s located inside a bright pink trailer and already has a line of excited customers. Staff quickly hand out sweatshirts and t-shirts, then use yellow flags to signal who’s next in line.
Seven hours till …
Honestly, the humidity is awful, and we’re covered in mosquito bites! I drove all the way from Tucson on Friday, and it took us seven hours. It would have been quicker if we hadn’t had to turn around at the California border – those gas prices are just ridiculous!
She and Jackie wore clown costumes to the concert, which is pretty typical for Roan shows. They put a lot of effort into their outfits, even though they were surprised to learn the theme was supposed to be ‘mermaid’ at the last minute.
They remembered scrambling to get ready at the last minute, running to places like Amazon and Spirit Halloween. They’d known about the event for a while, thinking they had plenty of time, but suddenly, just three days before, they realized they needed costumes for the Chappell Roan concert and had nothing prepared.
Just moments earlier, another general admission line opened up.
An event worker begged people not to run, explaining that everyone was heading in the same direction, but they didn’t listen. “Please, don’t run!” the staffer repeated.
It was amazing to watch – a surge of fans practically ran across the parking lot to get in line! It filled up so quickly, within just thirty seconds, and the new line immediately stretched out to meet the ones that had been forming for hours. It was incredible to see the energy and excitement!
Around 3 p.m., as security starts letting people in, the crowd begins to surge forward. People in line are anxious, tightly holding their things and grabbing towels that fall to the ground. The official opening time of 4:30 p.m. is already proving inaccurate, as the crowd is being admitted much earlier.
Getting through security is smooth, and soon you’re driving on the paved roads around the Rose Bowl Stadium. Fans are rushing towards Brookside, but many quickly stop to use the stadium’s restrooms, which are much nicer than the portable toilets in the parking lot.
Outside the golf course, a crowd is gathering, held back by security at the entrance. Staff repeatedly ask fans not to run and to walk instead, before finally letting them through. As soon as they do, the fans rush forward, eager to secure a good spot near the stage where Roan will perform in about seven hours.
Once the excitement died down, a small, pink building shaped like a rectangle appeared at the west side of the event space. It had a porch with posts, and a disco ball hanging from it. The people running the building wore sparkly cowboy hats that contrasted with their all-white outfits. Both their clothes and the building itself displayed the “eBay” logo—the online resale company had teamed up with Roan to gather a collection of interesting items for the show.
The interior is decorated with boldly colored western shirts in black and red, displayed against pink walls. The clothes for sale seem to have come directly from Roan’s personal collection. Hidden among the items are three charming mermaid-horses, sized like the classic coin-operated rides popular in the 1960s and 70s.
Five hours till …
Roan’s concerts are known for their bold and creative concepts, making them visually stunning shows with powerful vocals. This attracts a fashion-forward audience, where concertgoers’ outfits are often as striking as something you’d see on a runway.
Chephrena and Geneva certainly embraced the event’s spirit – Chephrena, in particular, went all-out with a striking look, covering herself in bright aquamarine blue and adding vibrant red contact lenses. She accessorized with shells and gemstones draped over a brown, netted outfit, making her one of the most perfectly themed attendees.
Chephrena credits Roan with helping her overcome difficult periods and being a huge inspiration. As a testament to their bond, Chephrena once created a pair of large butterfly wings for a Halloween costume – and now uses them as the headboard for her bed!
Geneva really admires her honesty and authenticity. She says that, even though they’re around the same age, she looks up to her as a role model.
Three hours till …
The crowd lets out a roar that echoes over Brookside’s fairway slopes.
Trixie Mattel playfully asked the crowd, “Should we get this party started?” and then joked, “I already smell marijuana.”
She’s performing in the center of the stage, flanked by two muscular men in Speedos. They’re playfully posing and dancing, completely drenched in sweat, and each is wearing an oversized bobblehead of drag queen Trixie Mattel.
She playfully exclaimed, “Look at me!” then jokingly urged onlookers, “Come on, hurry up! The party’s started!”
She’s bringing a lot of humor to the table alongside her skill, and she’s a natural fit as one of Roan’s opening acts – they really complement each other perfectly.
“The power of musical theater compels you!” she adds. “We are really out here in a field, b—.”
Away from the crowds, an aunt and niece shared a laugh and then enjoyed splitting a funnel cake.
I remember Aunt Kim telling me about it – she had the ticket right on her phone, but the event flyer was so faded you could hardly make out what it was. She said she turned to her niece, Marita, and just asked if she’d come along to this ‘wacky thing’ because she didn’t have anyone else to invite. Apparently, Marita was incredibly sweet about it and happily agreed.
She said she couldn’t understand what she was looking at, and I told her the title was at the top. She looked and then exclaimed, ‘No… no!’
Marita says they’ve been fans of Chappell for a long time. She was really excited and joked that tickets were incredibly expensive.
“I told her not to worry, they were only a million and seven!” Kim jokes.
Kim and her companion didn’t have a long journey from Sunland and arrived with plenty of time to spare. However, Kim realized she’d left her purse behind, forcing them to leave the queue to retrieve it. Luckily, someone riding by on a bicycle with a passenger seat offered them a lift, and they were able to get back and arrive by 4:30 p.m.
Kim says seeing all of this is incredibly moving, almost to the point of tears. She believes it’s exactly what people need given how difficult things are right now. It’s a welcome escape, a chance to simply enjoy the present moment where individuality is celebrated – like being an older woman rocking a pink wig and bringing joy to others.
“It’s just about how beautiful this is.”
Shortly after, Hemlocke Springs performed. She’d recently been an opening act for both Conan Gray and Roan, and she’s been friends with Roan for a while. In a recent Vogue interview, Roan mentioned being one of the first to contact Springs about her song “girlfriend” back in 2023.
She described Chappell as a genuinely kind and supportive person, saying Chappell immediately looked out for her when they first spoke and had a strong, comforting presence. She was so inspired by this that she wanted to emulate Chappell’s helpful and caring attitude.
One hour till …
Everyone’s legs are tired, and the crowd has spread out about a quarter of a mile from the stage. A few fans are finding spots between those who are resting on the grass, getting comfortable before Roan begins her performance.
Others are making their last-minute trips to the bar and shuffling to food stalls for a quick nosh.
Amidst the lively scene, two people wearing sparkly pink and silver cowboy hats are handing out pink bandanas, promoting Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” as the most enthusiastic part of the show. Nearby, two other girls are enjoying White Claw drinks and slices of pizza on paper plates.
Green lights flash, smoke fills the air, and dramatic music with booming horns begins to play. The scene is powerfully evocative of Prince Phillip’s epic showdown with the dragon Maleficent, captivating everyone watching.
On broadcast screens, green cat eyes appear before quickly fading away.
An ancient book appears on a willow branch, and a delicate, glowing hand gently turns its pages. The book depicts a grand, gothic castle—the same castle featured on the stage—complete with elaborate arches, towers, and supporting structures.
The Midwest Princess arrives
It’s hard to pinpoint Roan’s greatest talent – she’s quickly become one of the most captivating artists of the last ten years, known for her striking style, elaborate outfits, and mesmerizing pop songs.
You could immediately understand her impact just by looking at the audience during a show. People were completely captivated – many were even crying – as they swayed, jumped, and shared in the joy of experiencing her music together.
According to a review in The Times, Chappell Roan completely captivates the audience during her performances – she *is* the main attraction.
Few pop stars have such a devoted following, and her incredible success both created and was fueled by that connection with her fans.
She almost didn’t go on tour in the U.S., deciding at the last minute. She shared how much she loves her job, thanking everyone who helps make it great. She also briefly touched on the difficulties of fame, wondering if the challenges were worth it.
Getting back on stage felt right because it’s about bringing happiness to queer people. There’s a lot of negativity out there, and this is a space for something different. I want everyone to know they’re safe here, and I want you to feel free to be yourself tonight. You are valued and appreciated for exactly who you are.
The performance ends with the sounds of a horse – neighs and hoofbeats – accompanying “Pink Pony Club,” a song by Roan that tells the story of a young queer woman’s night at a gay club in West Hollywood.
As she finished her performance, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving the venue as rapidly as they had arrived. The grass at Brookside was flattened, and the parking lot gradually emptied of cars.
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2025-10-14 21:02