Making Grown Men Cry: An Evening with King Princess and Dayglow

I’ve been craving moments that feel like high school again. It seems odd, considering how depressed I was in those days, but the moments when I was happy felt super happy when juxtaposed with my deep darkness. To feel light--to bop around and feel everything deeply, like it was the first time back in high school--that was my experience with King Princess at Stubb’s. 

The local skater cuties of Day Glow (who I’d definitely let hold my hand) opened up for her Highness, and they killed it. Walking in from a few blocks down, Austin and I heard their funky tunes and became electrified. Their performance was boppy, upbeat, and so so soooo feel good, but they carve out a space for the sad stuff with their somewhat nostalgic, surf rock vibe. When they covered “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears, the energy from the past owner of my vintage high-waisted jeans took over and I, quite frankly, lost my shit. Those boys are going to kill it when they embark on their European tour--so send them off with a hug and a kiss (by going to a show and boogying your booty off) before they embark! 

Suddenly, Lana Del Rey came on the speakers as someone whose name I didn’t catch was announced. “Huh, holy shit, she’s really about to bring out Lana for the gays right now.” 

But it was better than that.

Local drag queen Mars, strutted on stage in a lil red leather number and fucking kiiiiilled it. She gave us everything we needed and more. I can’t think of a more King Princess way to kick off a show. 

The only stage presence that could follow Miss Mars’s energy was King Princess herself. “It’s me and Guns N’ Roses,” KP said in jest, referring to the ACL lineup she’s rocking on Friday in Zilker Park. The amusement with which she talked about this accomplishment was made extra funny as she gave us real-ass rock n’ roll. A rock goddess among gods, Miss Princess shredded her guitar like nobody’s business. During KP’s performance of Talia, I considered starting a mosh pit in that hoe--but alas, I couldn’t bare to ruin the tender moments every woman was having with her girlfriend. It was a sweet evening of both feeling and releasing intense emotions. 

“I’m so fucking sick, but I’m on a z-pack and got a B12 shot in my ass,” the King explained a few songs into her set. Had she said nothing, I don’t know if I would’ve noticed her sub-par health. Her strong, sexy, female energy, served to us on a rhinestone-encrusted platter, was like nothing I’d ever felt before. She showed no regard for the male gaze, simply embodying herself and how she feels in each moment. It was an utter blessing to experience and take part in such ferocious freedom.

 She made me move differently. She gave the entire audience permission to feel the love in her love songs and the pain in her tea-spilling, unreleased breakup song from her new album dropping on the 25th of this month (start your countdown!)

The night inspired a deeper connection with myself--a feeling of self-discovery I link more closely to my youth. A feeling that bled into the sweet and intimate interactions I had with my friend to conclude our evening: discovering we already have the power within ourselves to accomplish all of our dreams, and finding comfort that we’re in the process of becoming who we were always meant to be.