Haute & Freddy’s Big Disgrace World Tour stopped at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia on Sunday night, and from the opening moments, it was clear that this was going to be a show where anything could happen.
The night began with an animated origin story of tonight’s stars, Haute and Freddy, otherwise known as Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp. The story introduces the duo as a failed circus act that escaped into our world.
They opened with “Anti-Superstar,” and the crowd immediately went wild. I found myself in a room of superfans with enough excitement to fill an arena 10x the size.
Fans sang along to every word as Buzz moved across the stage and Shipp attacked the drums. The crowd immediately became part of the show, chanting back every word the duo sang.
The stage itself looked like something out of a traveling circus. Red curtains framed a circus-style backdrop, while Buzz came out in a cream-colored floral dress with a huge pink ruffled collar, red gloves, red stockings, black platform boots and a veiled hat. Shipp sat behind the drums in a white shirt and dark pants, with red and pink ribbons tied around his drum kit.
“Fashion Over Function” was next, followed by “Sweet Surrender” and “Sophie.” The set moved quickly, but there was never a feeling that the songs were being rushed. Buzz had plenty of room to move around the stage and interact with the audience, while Shipp kept the songs driving forward from behind the drums and sometimes getting up to interact with the actors on stage.
The further the show went, the more obvious the connection between Haute & Freddy and their fans became.
Songs like “Fields of Versailles” and “Femme Hysteria” kept the crowd engaged before “I Like My People Weird” and “Freaks” turned the room into an even bigger party.
“Freaks” was one of the moments when the audience really seemed to let go. People were dancing, singing and completely embracing the strange, playful world Haute & Freddy had created. It was fitting for a song that celebrates the people who don’t quite fit in.
And nobody in Brooklyn Bowl seemed interested in fitting in on Sunday night.
During a break in the set, Buzz brought fans into the show and created completely improvised songs for them. One was for Melissa, whose birthday Buzz celebrated by making up a song about her and her love of going to concerts.
Then there was Abner.
Buzz talked with him about being a Scorpio before turning the conversation into another improvised song..
Two performers from the Fou Fou Ha! performance collective also joined Haute & Freddy throughout portions of the show, dressed in elaborate clown costumes and makeup. They danced alongside Buzz and added another layer to the already theatrical production.
There was always something happening onstage taking the circus theme to the next level between every beat.
Buzz’s voice was especially impressive during “Showgirl at Heart.” She has a powerful voice, and the live performance gave her plenty of opportunities to show it off. With all of the costumes, dancing and comedy surrounding the songs, it would be easy for the music to get lost. It never did.
Then came “Touch Touch,” the duo’s newest song and their first release since Big Disgrace.
It fit naturally into the set, and hearing it live made it clear that Haute & Freddy aren’t finished building this world. They’re still figuring out where it can go next.
“Symphony of a Queen” followed before the duo closed the night with “Shy Girl.”
There was a real connection between Haute & Freddy and the people in that room. Fans weren’t standing around waiting for the next song. They were singing, dancing, shouting back at Buzz and jumping at every opportunity to become part of the show.
The energy was electric.
You could feel how much the audience wanted to be there, and you could see Haute & Freddy feeding off of that energy. Buzz constantly looked toward the crowd, laughed with fans and made the show feel personal even in a packed venue.
That is what makes a show like this work.
Haute & Freddy have built an entire aesthetic around being weird, theatrical and a fully creative version of themselves, and their fans clearly feel comfortable doing the same.
