June 18, 2025 - Minneapolis, MN

I’ve never seen a performance like Perfume Genius. The American singer-songwriter explored the complexity of humans and their bodies. On a Wednesday night in June, Minneapolis fans came out to show their support and were ready to see what Perfume Genius had in store for them.

The opener, Urika’s Bedroom, stepped on the stage and slowly started to build into their music. For several minutes, the only sounds heard were instruments finding their place within one another. The extended intro of their first song, “Junkie,” took me by surprise. Soon, the haunting and slow vocals filled the venue. Although hard to hear at times, it only added to the ambience of their sound. They allowed the music to speak for them. The vocals that were there felt raw and powerful.

Their first studio album, Big Smile, Black Mire, feeds into the contradictory state of life and the world we’re currently in. Their songs dive into various existential crises, and Urika’s Bedroom brought that to their opening set. Aside from the vocals onstage, Urika’s Bedroom remained mysterious and mainly silent. It took until the last two songs before Urika’s Bedroom spoke to the crowd and introduced those songs. Closing with “*66” and “XTC,” Urika’s Bedroom left the audience with a touch of hopefulness and desire. With the way they’re trending, Urika’s Bedroom has potential for a long, successful career.

Not for a lack of props or subtlety, Perfume Genius filled the stage with various items you might find in a garage: an exercise ball, step ladder, and chairs. The experimental aspect of the show created a performance that mirrored a lyrical dance number. Just when I thought the props were all the show would offer, Perfume Genius stepped out and onto a raised, rotating platform. With each turn, he was in a new pose and moving his legs while singing.

In the thrilling show, I never knew his next move. He could be bouncing off the exercise ball or tangling himself up in cords. After thrashing around for the first few songs, Perfume Genius slowed the show down. Taking a seat at the piano, he performed “Me and Angel,” which is a song dedicated to his partner.

When all went quiet near the end of the show, and the first few notes of “Otherside” began, gasps of instant recognition were heard. “Otherside” is a vulnerable song reminiscent of a hymn dedicated to the relationship between religion and himself as a gay man. The song started quietly before exploding into something greater. The performance was stripped back and let the words take center stage.

The final song felt like a long-awaited battle between singer and props. Perfume Genius trapped the microphone stand in the step ladder and swung it around. His struggles with his body and mind were clearly characterized by these props throughout the performance of “My Body.” Then, the encore came like the dust settling. The slow melody of Perfume Genius’ cover of “Fade Into You” slowed it all down and forced the crowd back into the moment.

Perfume Genius and Urika’s Bedroom both ended their sets with hopefulness. Despite what we all go through, there is the promise of something greater out there for all of us.