Role Model’s London Concert: He’s Not in Kansas Anymore

Somewhere between The 1975 and Zach Bryan sits Role Model’s music – slightly folky but with an alt-pop energy.

Following his tour circuit as the opener for Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old musician from Maine is currently touring the UK and Europe on the No Place Like Tour. The tour comes after the release of his sophomore album Kansas Anymore, released in July 2024.

The album’s title is a reference to The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy says, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas Anymore”, hence the tour name. It feels like the backside of the coin to his 2022 album Rx, which featured his ex-girlfriend, Emma Chamberlain, in several of the music videos. The couple broke up in 2023 and is the inspiration for much of Kansas Anymore, with many songs depicting a relationship falling apart as they hold on to it and each other. Other tracks talk about Role Model’s struggles with homesickness, his feeling out of place in LA and how his longing to go home affected his California-based relationship.

Recently, Role Model’s TikTok presence has increased and his style on social media has become more whimsical. He used his platforms to actively, and humorously, campaign for People Magazine’s ‘Sexiest Musician Alive’ award, landing as runner-up to Harry Styles, which he is not bitter about at all. People Magazine responded to his public anger about being runner-up with a TikTok of their own. This is just one example of the deep lore of the Role Model universe that extends to his live shows.

The location for Role Model’s London show – and his largest headlining show to date – was an old cinema turned music venue, the O2 Academy Brixton. “There’s a very clear demographic here”, my boyfriend remarked as we joined the line looping around the block and across roads. I think I can capture the demographic as what I imagine the Urban Outfitters’ mood board looks like, with baggy jeans and unique vintage, overall making me feel very uncool. And if the queue size did not speak to Role Model’s cult following, the signs certainly did. Each had a different inside joke between Role Model and his fanbase.

The opener, Matilda Mann, was amazing and had me adding her songs to my playlist throughout the set. As the stage crew worked to switch out the set and set up for Role Model, the crowd’s anticipation grew more eager. The excitement of the audience meant any change to music, lighting or even just a crew member on stage gave way to screams from fans. 

The show felt like a lot of inside jokes from the start with Role Model opening with, “London, this is Ed Sheeran”. This bit continued throughout as Role Model introduced himself as Sabrina Carpenter, Saint Lauren Cowboy (his TikTok alter ego) and Inhaler. His performance was high energy and with the band on a rectangular platform behind him, he had the space to dance around the stage and engage with everyone in the audience.

If you have a penchant for a white boy boogie, then Role Model should be your new favourite artist. His childhood obsession with Elvis Presley can be seen through his dance moves on stage and his engagement with his audience. The music and his voice were both amazing and did not disappoint live, especially compared to the album recordings. The ad-libs and changes to the performance of the songs made it a unique experience, one which you just cannot get from listening to his albums on Spotify.

He is a fangirl just like us, which makes him refreshing. From his rivalry with People Magazine and Harry Styles, to inside jokes with his fans, and of course, even his merch which literally has “FANGIRL” written on it. However, his merchandise has unfortunately followed the trend of charging an arm and a leg for a hoodie with his hoodies costing £80, t-shirts £35 and tote bags £25. The merchandise offered a range of designs, including t-shirts with his face on, simple FANGIRL crop tops and of course the ruby slipper imagery from his Kansas Anymore album.

Role Model brought out two friends during the performance. First, everyone’s favourite manbun-rocking bassist, Ross MacDonald of The 1975, who wrote Frances with Role Model for his latest album. He shared the stage with Role Model, performing Frances of course, as well as The 1975’s hit Somebody Else. He was followed by Junia Lin (sister to Laufey), who accompanied Role Model on the violin during a performance of Compromise. Role Model also performed a short cover of Harry Styles’ Sign of the Times, which was sensational and played into Role Model’s comical vendetta against him and People Magazine.

Concert safety felt like a priority to the O2 Academy and Role Model, with more security than I have seen at a concert before. Role Model checked on the crowd throughout in his own way, asking “Does everyone feel good, safe and sexy?”, because as is the theme, he always must have a joke with his fanbase. 

The crowd itself was energetic and shared a particular joyful energy that I have only ever experienced in live music venues. The fact that the girls sitting behind me took a photo of my boyfriend and I during the concert, without us having to ask, sums up the audience’s energy. Fandom really breeds a culture of love and comradery, which is rare to see anywhere else.

My only real qualm with the show was that it lacked fluidity between songs. After each song when the crowd was at a high and everyone was ready to party, the lights would turn off for a minute and we were left standing in the dark waiting. This led to the performance lacking fluidity and feeling a little disjointed. However, his London show was early in his European tour, and I am sure these kinks will be ironed out as the tour continues.

For £32 a ticket, the concert was well worth it, even if you are new to Role Model’s music. Any problems with the performances’ fluidity will be worked out over time and I think it will just get better and better. If this article has not convinced you that Role Model is the next artist to add to all your playlists, check out his music for yourself!