By: Audrey Radick
This semester has been huge for live music in Columbus. From classic pop to alternative rock to electronic dance music, many major artists have our city on their autumn tour dates. Columbus’s rising live music scene hosts many artists due to its range of venues. We have larger venues such as Nationwide Arena which hosts up to 20,000 people or smaller outdoor venues such as KEMBA Live! with a capacity of 5,200. This variety of venues provides space for smaller artists, as well as major ones, to perform in Columbus.
Love Hate Music Box Tour by Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Earlier this semester, Rainbow Kitten Surprise brought their tour to KEMBA Live! On September 10, 2024. This tour was especially important to RKS fans as it was the band’s first extensive tour since their hiatus in May 2023. Their show included many classics and heavily featured their most recent album, Love Hate Music Box. Nikki Skyer, Ohio State Junior and long-time Rainbow Kitten Surprise fan attests that “RKS had great stage energy and the crowd was really into it.”
SWEAT Tour by Charli XCX & Troye Sivan
Charli XCX and Troye Sivan came to the Nationwide Arena on September 20, 2024, with their co-headlining SWEAT Tour. These two artists put out wildly successful albums in the past year. The friendship between Troye and Charli sets this tour apart as an experience rather than just a concert. Demi Shostak, an OSU sophomore, proclaims “This was the best arena concert I’ve ever been to. The people were all amazing and hyped! Charli and Troye are two of the most iconic performers ever.”
The Big Ideas Tour by Remi Wolf
The Big Ideas Tour is Remi Wolf’s largest headlining tour to date. Since her last tour in 2022, Remi has spent time working on this album and opening for other artists. She has also gained traction by reaching major milestones such as NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert and VMA nominations during this time. Her fans, such as Ohio State student Aubrey Lang, have been patiently waiting for her to come to Columbus. Lang notes, “I was in the pit and the crowd was really good. One thing I love about Kemba Live is that the show is great from any spot in the pit.”
Short n’ Sweet Tour by Sabrina Carpenter
On September 23, 2024, this Columbus show kicked off Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour at our own Nationwide Arena. Fans were lining up outside the arena to be the first to know the setlist and performances of Carpenter’s long-awaited fifth headlining tour.
In the past year, Sabrina’s music career and album have skyrocketed up the charts gaining her many new fans. This made ticket sales nearly impossible. Ohio State senior Maddie Holdcraft said, “Getting tickets to this tour was difficult but definitely worth it.” Carpenter’s fun, lighthearted show brought her joyful pop songs to the Columbus stage.
Charm Tour by Clairo
This tour was highly anticipated by those who follow Clairo’s music. The last time Claire Cotrill (Clairo) toured, was 2022 for her sophomore album Sling. The Columbus show of her Charm Tour quickly sold out despite the expensive ticket prices.
I attended this tour, and it undoubtedly lived up to my expectations. From her oldies like “Flaming Hot Cheetos” to current hits such as “Sexy to Someone”, Clairo left no song out of the setlist. The warm ambiance of the stage set design and the bubbly energy of Claire and her band were the perfect recipe for a night of singing and swaying along to the mellow sounds of Clairo’s third album Charm.
This semester has showcased the rapid growth and diverse nature of the Columbus live music scene. The city’s venues have welcomed artists from a range of genres and fanbases. Shows by Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Remi Wolf, Sabrina Carpenter, and Clairo drew thousands of attendees, including college students and residents from all over Ohio. With the revenue and memorable performances from these concerts, Columbus continues to establish itself as a hub for live music lovers in the Midwest.