Role Model’s breakthrough may seem like it happened overnight, but for those who’ve followed him since his earlier albums, it’s been years in the making. His quirky and loving personality shines not only through his music but also in his humorous presence online. It’s rare to feel someone’s true personality, especially a celebrity’s, through the phone, but Tucker does it unapologetically and loudly. 

His newest album, Kasas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), and its tour, No Place Like Tour, has challenged his previous music style as he navigated a newfound feeling of loss and heartbreak. This album is personally a no-skip album, with songs like “Look at That Woman,” and “Deeply Still in Love” mixing happy energy and sad lyricism, while songs like “Compromise” and “Some Protector” feel as if he personally read your thoughts and emotions. I believe this album has marked a shifting point in his career as the feelings of loss and heartbreak have turned into healing and understanding. 

His set was full of songs that had me on an emotional roller coaster, making me feel like I was going through the feelings with him. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him to choose which songs to perform because, once again, there isn’t a bad track on the album, which makes picking a favorite nearly impossible! Starting off with an immediate banger, “Writing’s on the Wall,” Role Model instantly grabbed the attention of every person in the venue from the first note. His ability to go back and forth from lighthearted or fast-paced songs to slower and emotionally heavier songs left me, and I’m sure everyone else, in awe. I found myself tearing up during his performances of “Compromise” and “Some Protector” and haven’t felt so connected to music in such a long time.

There are two main moments that each fan looks forward to when going into a show: getting “Oh-Gemini-ed” and getting “Sallied”. There is a moment in the song, “Oh Gemini,” where Tucker picks someone from the crowd to lock eyes with and sing that part together. As that particular part came up, he made his way over to the right side of the stage and picked his fan, causing her friends and other fans around her to scream, swoon, and sing. It reminded me what being a fangirl truly is all about.  The coveted “Sally” character is every fangirl’s dream as he and his team pick someone from the audience to share the stage with him during “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The crowd became emotional when his pick for the night was a girl in remission from cancer, celebrating her cancer-free life.

Role Model’s personality truly shone through on stage as he engaged with the crowd, commenting on signs, singing along with fans, and dancing with his bandmates. Tucker had humorous moments, like after his cover of “Somebody Else” by the 1975, when he introduced himself and his band as “the 1965,” playing into the inside joke of his multiple personas. There were also more serious moments, such as when Tucker reminded fans that despite his online persona, he truly loves and appreciates every fan in the crowd, acknowledging the commitment, dedication, and passion they bring to the fandom.

By the end of the night, I could not believe it was over. Although I felt a longing for more music, I still left feeling incredibly grateful for the emotional vulnerability and high-energy performance that defined the evening. Role Model has truly redefined what it means to be a fan, reminding us how fun and exciting it can be to experience live music. I feel lucky to have seen him live, and it’s no surprise that he’s performing at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Governors Ball this summer. His No Place Like Tour isn’t over yet, though! To catch the rest of his dates, you can find the link here!