Arts and Entertainment

Halsey welcomes you to the “Badlands”

  She has opened up for Imagine Dragons, she will go on tour with The Weeknd this December, but on Nov. 18, Halsey performed one of her two sold-out shows at The Fonda Theatre. The electro-pop singer released her first LP back in August, “Badlands,” which has made her into a successful newcomer into the…
<a href="https://highschool.latimes.com/author/melodyreports/" target="_self">Melody Shahsavarani</a>

Melody Shahsavarani

November 23, 2015

 

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Halsey takes us into the world of the “Badlands”.

She has opened up for Imagine Dragons, she will go on tour with The Weeknd this December, but on Nov. 18, Halsey performed one of her two sold-out shows at The Fonda Theatre.

The electro-pop singer released her first LP back in August, “Badlands,” which has made her into a successful newcomer into the world of music. She landed a few hours before the show from New York, as she performed “The Feeling,” a track she is featured on from Bieber’s comeback album “Purpose.”

As the lights were dimmed and the chords of “Gasoline” began, Halsey gracefully walked to stage ready to rock out with 1,200 of her dedicated fans. Full of energy, she had no problem bouncing from one side of the stage to the next. She got us hooked.

Halsey performs for a sold-out crowd at The Fonda Theatre, Nov. 18

Halsey performs for a sold-out crowd at The Fonda Theatre, Nov. 18.

“I put on this serious attitude when I sing these songs and I tell myself ‘relax they’re not even that serious,’” she said after performing her first five songs. That’s when the New Jersey native transitioned into her upbeat love track “Roman Holiday.”

Halsey never fails to assure her fans how thankful she is for their constant dedicated support. She shared that when “Badlands” was released, a performance was scheduled that night in Los Angeles. She was in utter shock that every fan in attendance already knew all the words to the newly fresh tracks.

“If anyone tells you they love you, just know nobody loves you like I f—king love you,” said the “Badlands” singer.

Her eclectic vocals took us into the emotion-filled track “Drive.” The theatre was filled with cellphone flashlights, per to her request on this song, as she sang the chorus. The song takes us into the world where two lovers keep their relationship distinct, careful not to make the first move, yet inevitably enjoying each other’s presence and silently pleading for more.

Halsey leaves the crowd speechless with her eclectic vocals

Halsey leaves the crowd speechless with her eclectic vocals.

Halsey illustrated she is not afraid of expressing her true feelings. At one point into the show, she gave a specific shout out to any industry executives in the audience: If they don’t sing along, or enjoy her music, “they can get the f–k out.”

The performance of  “Ghost” was unbelievable. She first announced that her expressive commentary before got her in trouble, but didn’t even take it into consideration as she went straight into the song. Faces all around were not surprised because they knew this is the Halsey they fell in love with from the start.

Then the moment came where everyone loves, her most successful single to date, “New Americana”.

Halsey didn't fail to give it her all at The Fonda Theatre

Halsey didn’t fail to give it her all.

The generational anthem starts out with Halsey’s vibrant vocals, which stay low in key until the chorus kicks in, as she chants defiantly over an intense drum beat, “We are the new Americana, high on legal marijuana, raised on Biggie and Nirvana, we are the new Americana.”

Confetti flew around, not just any confetti, but fake $100 bills shooting in the air with Halsey as the president next to the words “Badlands United.”

As she thanked the crowd and ran backstage, immediately fans began to chant her name for an encore. Within a few minutes she hopped back on for one more song. “Young God” skillfully wrapped up the 15-song setlist.

At just 21 years old, Halsey has a created an image that depicts an independent, strong and talented artist. Her debut album alone has brought in a huge fan base and it will continue to grow. We landed in the Badlands and we are here to stay.

 

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