story by editor-in-chief: Ashly Nicole

Chappell Roan Turned Pasadena Into “Pussy Dena”

Chappell Roan wanted us to ask our moms if we could come over to the Rose Bowl and play mermaids, and they said yes! This past weekend, our favorite Midwest Princess transformed the iconic Pasadena venue, on her last stop of the “Visions of Damsels and Other Dangerous Things tour”, into her own shimmering undersea fantasy, selling out a 40,000-cap space and making history in what she (and all of us) now affectionately call “Pussy Dena.” In true Chappell fashion, it wasn’t just a concert it was an absolute queer celebration. To kick things off, she enlisted drag royalty herself, Trixie Mattel, to get the mermaid party started. Trixie not only DJ’d, but also delivered a full drag show alongside the incredible Calypso Jeté and Kyra Jeté, setting the tone for the night: theatrical, camp, and completely larger than life.
Then came Hemlocke Springs, who brought her signature eccentric energy and had the crowd singing and dancing along to every beat. After hours of queueing, weaving through merch lines that wrapped around the venue, and racing for spots at the barricade, the anticipation was high. As the lights dimmed, the screams erupted, and Chappell finally appeared.

Every Chappell show is a guessing game when it comes to her outfit, and she never disappoints. This time, she emerged in a glistening seaweed-colored gown, complete with a fin-like headpiece and a massive, sparkling trident, a look straight out of a mythical underwater dream. Opening with “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” she instantly commanded the stage, turning the Rose Bowl into her own sea kingdom. Between songs and banter, Chappell admitted she was nervous, this was her biggest headline show to date, but the moment she stepped on stage, all nerves dissolved. She radiated confidence and charisma, floating across the massive stage like she was born to rule it. Even when medical emergencies arose in the crowd, she paused without hesitation to make sure fans got help, never missing a beat and reminding everyone just how much she truly cares.
And, of course, no Chappell show would be complete without “Hot To Go.” On both nights, she took a beat to lovingly call out a couple audience members who weren’t quite going along with the choreography. On night one, she spotted a dad who wasn’t doing the Hot To Go dance, but quickly softened, laughing and saying, “there’s a dad in the crowd that’s not doing iiittt!”, and continued with, “but you look really nice, so I’m not going to make you do it.” Night two, though, was a different story. Someone held up a sign that read “Pussy Dena,” and while Chappell said she didn’t want to embarrass anyone, the camera crew flashed the sign across the big screens for the entire crowd to see, and just like that, Pasadena officially became Pussy Dena.

The rest of the night unfolded like a story told in acts, complete with subtle costume changes, shifting stage setups, and dramatic entrances. One of the show’s most unforgettable moments came mid-set with a fiery cover of Heart’s “Barracuda.” As the iconic riff kicked in, a massive castle gate on stage slowly lowered, revealing Chappell’s silhouette through smoke and flashing lights, a total rock opera climax.
Later, she reappeared cloaked in a cape, holding her beloved tour pet Shigella, before performing her emotional ballad “Coffee.” Chappell took a moment to reflect, thanking everyone for joining her and sharing how Los Angeles had become her home over the past nine years, how the city and its community helped her grow and shaped her into the artist she is today, and how she truly admired how the community came together during the fires this past year. And, in classic Chappell Roan fashion, she wrapped the moment with a powerful, “Fuck I.C.E.! For fucking real.”, a line that drew cheers and endless support from every corner of the stadium.

From “Femininomenon,” to her newer beloved song,“The Subway” to the perfectly on-theme “Casual,” Chappell Roan gave us a show that felt part pop concert, part drag cabaret, and part emotional communion. By the end of the night, our voices were hoarse, our glitter was smudged, and it felt like we’d all just surfaced from a shared fever dream. Because that’s the magic of a Chappell Roan show, it’s more than a performance; it’s an experience, a declaration, and a celebration of queerness in all its glittering, powerful glory. Even as we walked out into the cool Pasadena night, forever buzzing from scream singing every lyric, and every heartfelt word, it was impossible not to feel a little transformed, like we’d been part of something bigger than ourselves, a night that will live on in memory and iconic
moments alike. Post-concert depression is real, and we’re definitely feeling it, but if this is the last time Chappell takes over “Pussy Dena,” we’re leaving with hearts full, voices raw, and spirits sparkling. Until next time, queen, maybe let’s just do coffee some time.