Role Model kickstarted his World Tour ‘No Place Like Tour’ in Dublin on 10th November, performing his second show at the O2 Institute Birmingham on 12th November. His return to the UK after over two years, combined with the release of his second album, Kansas Anymore, earlier this year, made this a highly anticipated event. After years of listening to Role Model and having his new album on repeat since its July release, I was excited to finally experience him live. 

If you’re looking to dance, vibe with great energy and share some laughs, the No Place Like Tour is a must-see. With cowboy hats and a nostalgic energy, this tour perfectly mixes pop and country, capturing the essence of Kansas Anymore and bringing the album’s spirit to life on stage. Role Model creates an intimate, unforgettable experience that truly draws the audience in. 

Excitement and anticipation radiated from the crowd of twenty-somethings eagerly waiting in line to be let in. Digital cameras flashing illuminated the fans’ trendy, carefully-curated outfits that channelled the country-western vibe donned by Role Model. Cowboy hats, boots, double denim, leather jackets and plaits tied with red ribbons filled the crowd, all reminiscent of the country-western spirit of Kansas Anymore. 

this tour perfectly mixes pop and country, capturing the essence of Kansas Anymore and bringing the album’s spirit to life on stage.

As the doors opened at seven, waves of fans danced their way into the venue, eyes drawn to the stage where Role Model would soon perform. By nine, the crowd began to quiet down in eager anticipation. The house lights turned off and the stage lights flashed in time with the beat of the drums of ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, filling the room with a vibrant energy. Role Model appeared on stage, igniting the crowd into an explosion of screams and cheers as he launched his show with the opening track from his new album. Fans bounced and danced, singing every lyric. The song was the perfect opener, instantly creating an energetic and magical atmosphere. Role Model’s seamless transition to ‘Look At That Woman’ was an immersive experience felt by the entire crowd, with fans repeating the lyrics ‘She had the hoops, white gold, white gold’ towards the song’s end. 

After the high energy of the first two songs, Role Model introduced himself and reminisced about the last time he performed in Birmingham. Fans laughed as he playfully exaggerated his American accent on the word  ‘Birmingham’ when screaming ‘Hi Birmingham, it’s the second night of No Place Like Tour, are you ready to have some fun?’. While strumming his guitar, Role Model encouraged fans to join in, playing his iconic song ‘Scumbag’. Unsurprisingly, every fan knew every word, collectively screaming ‘I’m a scumbag, I’m a setback, I’m a stain on the kitchen floor’, as Role Model iconically pointed the microphone towards the crowd to join in. 

Role Model creates an intimate, unforgettable experience that truly draws the audience in. 

Known for introducing himself as other artists, Role Model introduced himself as Sabrina Carpenter, jokingly singing ‘remember my name, my name is Sabrina Carpenter’ at the end of ‘Oh Gemini’. In a playful moment, Role Model teased the crowd by starting ‘Espresso’, and fans erupted in cheers, singing the iconic chorus back to him in full force. 

Energy and excitement erupted throughout the crowd as Role Model performed his iconic ‘Superglue’, sending thousands of fans bouncing up and down in unison to the song’s infectious energy. His iconic dance break towards the end of the song prompted an eruption of cheers and screams. 

Giving fans a moment to catch their breath, Role Model played his The Wizard of Oz-inspired song ‘The Dinner’. Fans held their fingers up singing ‘I click my heels three times, we’re not in Kansas anymore’ with him. A warmth, magic and energy filled the room as fans sang ‘Take Me Home’ in unison, swaying back and forth in rhythm. The room buzzed with energy during the seamless transition into his iconic western take on The 1975’s ‘Somebody Else’. 

This concert marked a flawless launch to his ‘No Place Like Tour’.

Taking a break from his new album, Role Model encouraged fans to ‘go back to the beginning’ as he played some of his older songs. Throughout ‘Notice Me’ and ‘That’s Just How It Goes’, fans screamed every single lyric back, filled with nostalgia as they swayed in unison. 

The atmosphere shifted as the beat of ‘Blind’ pulsed through the venue. As one of the songs I had eagerly anticipated hearing live, this performance did not disappoint. Transitioning straight into his iconic single ‘forever&more’, fans screamed every lyric to this iconic hit, especially when Role Model invited the audience to sing by themselves towards the song’s end. Role Model thanked the crowd before launching into ‘Deeply Still In Love’, a fitting finale that captured the energy and magic of the night.

Role Model created a truly special, magical and comfortable atmosphere, connecting deeply with fans through an intimate experience. His boundless energy, jokes and intimacy never dipped and the entire set perfectly encapsulated what it means to be a Role Model fan. This concert marked a flawless launch to his ‘No Place Like Tour’. I am incredibly grateful to have experienced this unforgettable night and eagerly anticipate what Role Model has in store for the future. 

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