Anticipation was high as Oklahoma City waited for the venue doors to open, the bright “Criterion presents: Suki Waterhouse” on display over everyone’s heads.
On any other night, locals would be stepping into the 3000-capacity Criterion per usual, but on this night, the venue was transformed into Loveland.
With the honor of opening the night, EMMMA took the stage, and her unique, fox-like beauty paired with overflowing talent had the audience hooked. The stage belonged to her, and EMMMA used it to showcase her endless energy and stunning vocals. This is only the beginning for the young alt/pop star, as she is set to open for the U.K. leg of Muna’s Gets So Hot Tour next month.
The second artist of the evening, Rochelle Jordan, took the stage when the lights were low and stepped into the singular spotlight. She was an absolute unit of talent, beauty and groove, all wrapped in a stylish fur coat. The spotlight, coming from behind, revealed only the artist’s silhouette, and Tte crowd went crazy when the lights came up, presenting THE Rochelle Jordan standing before them. They went even crazier when she removed her fur coat, showing off the beautiful dress that was hidden underneath.
Jordan moved gracefully across the stage and provided choreography that showed she was destined to be a star. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, bubbles were released, floating in the air around Jordan as she poured pieces of her discography into OKC. She was joined by the gorgeous Chrysalis on the mix, keeping the atmosphere hype. The pair made for an extraordinary performance and left Oklahoma yearning for dance.
I had never seen the Criterion look so beautiful. The audience of course contributed to this but also Waterhouse’s breathtaking set. Huge, sheer curtains hung on both sides of the stage with mirrored stairs in the center, leading up to a large anatomical disco heart that had arrows stuck in the side of it and a key hole on the front. A grand piano sat off to stage right, also with arrows stuck into it. Another massive sheer curtain hung behind all of it, tying the look together.
(L) Graphic by Haley Petrone
Waterhouse has the most beautiful fans, which symbolically mirrors herself — physically, musically and characteristically. The excitement was contagious amongst the audience, spreading all the way from the barricade to the balcony. Anticipation was building not only to be in the presence of Waterhouse, but also to see what outfit she would rock that night and which songs her setlist would contain, both of which change with every show.
The venue erupted into applause as soon as the lights went dark. The giant disco heart became illuminated; the key hole glowing. Silence crept over the audience so that we could hear a voice welcoming us to Loveland, and the lights appeared to be flashing in sync with the monologue. Before we knew it, the silhouette of Waterhouse could be seen in front of the heart. Aligning with the monologue, an arrow seemed to have struck her before she pulled it out of her own chest.
Aa the lights flashed, a gray, lacy body suit under a thick black belt and a gorgeous blue robe appeared. Waterhouse’s set opened with “Supersad” followed by “Tiny Raisin” and “Any Man.” The blue robe flowed around her beautifully as she strutted around the stage and showcased her choreography. Her hair and robe would get caught in the airflow coming from fans located at the front of the stage, making her look even more majestic.
Waterhouse was overflowing with energy, dancing and bouncing around the stage as if there were trampolines in her shoes, especially during “My Fun” when she got the entire room to raise their hands and move them back and forth in unison. Even with all of the dancing and the fans blowing air in her face, nothing affected her perfect vocals. She sounded as stunning as she looked, her voice pouring the lyrics into the audience as the fans soaked it all up.
The stage was left empty while Waterhouse exited to make an outfit change. When she returned she was wearing a tiny white tank with bedazzled dark red shorts. The atmosphere slowed and the audience was completely captivated by Waterhouse as she performed “When I Get Drunk (I Want You Boy).” Chills went down my spine when I heard the opening to “Good Looking,” a song that for many just like myself, is tied to deep memories. We were in awe watching her perform the song as if she WAS the song.
During “Johanna,” Waterhouse wore the curtains hanging from the ceiling, appearing as though she was wearing Loveland. It was a beautiful sight, witnessing her wrap the curtains around herself before she emerged from them; a sheer shawl that matched the curtains was draped over her shoulders. The crowd clapped along for the rest of the song.
The tinsel in her hair sparkled in the stage lights as she continued into her set, performing “Girl That I Am” and “Loveland.” Waterhouse stood at the top of the steps and spoke: “Thank you for loving me and supporting me and letting me live this life.”
Waterhouse left but OKC wanted more.
“Suki! Suki! Suki!” the fans chanted, begging for another song. Sure enough, the queen of Loveland herself returned to us with a tiara placed on her head. During the intro to “Weirdo,” Waterhouse, now sitting, looked into her computer screen that was placed near the front of the stage. Eventually, she stood to her feet and her team helped her step off the stage and into the photo pit. She had done this previously in the show but this time she held an extra tiara. She walked down the barricade until she got to the fan she chose to crown as OKC’s weirdo, also giving her a rubber chicken. The fan cried and got to give Waterhouse a big hug as a thank you.
The last song of the night, “To Love” began and Waterhouse continued to dance around the stage, her vocals completely untouched by her energetic movements.
Waterhouse will turn Australia into Loveland later this year, as well as sporting an opening slot on Sombr’s You Are The Reason Tour. The Loveland Tour is close to coming to an end and Oklahoma is more than thankful to be a stop for Suki Waterhouse.
A piece of Loveland will always live in OKC.
