BY TER STAFF

Minutes ago, Canadian singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen stepped off stage at Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom. Currently on her Gimmie Love Tour, Jepsen put on a memorable performance that we really really really liked (forgive our horrible pun). All jokes aside, Carly Rae’s growth as an artist has been consistent, album after album and year after year. Jepsen is much more than a former standout contestant on Canadian Idol, and certainly more than just the singer behind her 2011 hit ‘Call Me Maybe’. Jepsen’s third studio album, E•MO•TION, was critically acclaimed across the board and wound up on many year end lists (a rarity in the pop world), she contributed a huge cover for the theme song of Fuller House, and her ongoing Gimmie Love Tour has been enjoyed by fans and critics alike. Jepsen definitely showed love for Milwaukee tonight and the feeling was mutual. 

Opening for Jepsen tonight was Los Angeles-based alt-folk pop trio, Fairground Saints. The fun group, which consists of Mason Van Valin, Megan McAllister and Elijah Edwards, performed some of their fan favorites like ‘Can’t Control This Weather’, ‘All For You’ and ‘Turn This Car Around’. The guy-guy-girl trio complemented each other especially well and made for a unique combination. Together, Fairground Saints definitely set a great tone for the rest of the night.

Next up for the night was New York based electronic duo Cardiknox. Consisting of singer Lonnie Angle and producer/guitarist Thomas Dutton, Cardiknox just put out their debut album Portrait today, and they put on an unofficial live release party for the Milwaukee crowd before Jepsen hit the stage. And moments before Cardiknox’s final song, Carly Rae came out with a cake bearing Portrait’s artwork to congratulate her openers on their big day. The duo performed a number of cuts off their new LP and you could tell that they were just having fun out there, celebrating their album’s release.

Following Fairground Saints’ and Cardiknox’s performances was the woman of the night, Carly Rae Jepsen. Jepsen kicked off her performance with a number of records from her 2015 LP, including ‘Making the Most of the Night’, ‘Run Away With Me’ and her album’s title track. In total Jepsen performed nearly every track from E•MO•TION, while still making time for cuts from her 2012 album, Kiss, including an emotional performance of her record ‘Curiosity’, a personal highlight from the night and a performance that her Wisconsin fans will not soon forget.  

While it seems like just yesterday that Carly Rae Jepsen rose to stardom in the U.S., the 3o-year-old singer is no rookie to making music and touring, and tonight was a clear example of that. Jepsen’s performance may not have had the theatrics that some pop tours have, but rather Jepsen gave an intimate and polished performance that was almost without flaws, which is much better if you ask me. And if the night couldn’t be any better, half way through her set Carly Rae brought out Full House/Fuller House star, comedian Bob Saget, to perform Carly Rae’s cover of the classic sitcom theme. Fans tonight saw a great 20-track setlist, a Danny Tanner appearance, and a performance where song after song Jepsen showcased her exceptional voice and her infectious charm.

Check out our photos from Carly Rae’s Milwaukee performance below, and be sure to check out the remaining dates on her Gimmie Love Tour here.

Continue reading Photos: Carly Rae Jepsen Brings Her “Gimmie Love Tour” to Milwaukee, Brings Out Bob Saget to Perform Fuller House Theme →