Throughout the night, it was clear Paris had incredible stage presence. She moved freely across the stage, dancing and interacting with fans while sharing stories behind her songs. She had a way with words, describing her music and the experiences that inspired it with such clarity. Connecting with her audience was a key part of what made her shows so special. She even admitted that she could get carried away talking between songs, sometimes forgetting that she was there to perform.
Paloma’s work is heavily inspired by art, culture, society, and politics. Her set design paid homage to artwork by Ithell Colquhoun titled The Tree of Life, with a large, red, vein-like tree stretching across the stage. She also talked about “Rothko,” a song inspired by her love of art history and the work of Mark Rothko. She explained how people often cry while standing in front of his large, beautiful paintings. When she visited the gallery herself, she didn’t cry, which led her to reflect on a relationship that had ended and the feeling of trying to make yourself feel something that simply isn’t there.
Pais Paloma photo at Franklin Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 23 photo by Megan Lozano
Her pop-folk music felt ethereal and free-flowing. Before performing “Good Girl,” Paris encouraged the crowd to look outward instead of inward, feel empowered, move with each other, and feel comfortable enough to let loose. The message made the song especially powerful, as “Good Girl” was written out of frustration with men commenting on women’s bodies.
Paris also spoke about the power of love and the themes running through her album. She said many people had commented on the anger in her songs, with reactions ranging from positive to negative. She explained that the album also held a gentleness, and that anger had its place when it came to protecting what was loving and gentle. She then sang “I Cry in Front of Paintings,” bringing those ideas together in a moment that captured the balance between anger, vulnerability, and love that ran throughout her work. As the show ended, the connection between Paris and her fans continued beyond the encore. After Paris walked backstage, a song came on, and the crowd broke into a final dance together. The moment, known as the “fairy dance tradition,” was a fitting way to end the night and a reminder of the community her music brought together.
Words and photos by Megan Lozano
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Pais Paloma photo at Franklin Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 23 photo by Megan Lozano