PHOTOS: ROLE MODEL – Madrid, Spain – 12/8/24

ROLE MODEL brought his comedic charm, light-hearted personality, and the sincere lyrics of his newest album to Madrid on his global headlining “No Place Like Tour.”

In support of his sophomore album “Kansas Anymore,” the New-England born singer (Tucker Pillsbury) delivered a night that balanced energy and emotion. Rooted in the homesickness and heartbreak that defines the folk-pop record, the show wove both deeply personal moments and optimism into an unforgettable performance.

ROLE MODEL opened with “Writings On The Wall,” immediately energizing the crowd with the toe-tapping chorus. The audience followed his every cue, shouting all the lyrics, waving and dancing spiritedly. Many fans came dressed in leather jackets, boots and blue jeans— a nod to the folk-tinged instrumentation and home-related themes of the tour and album.

Seamlessly moving from hits like “Look At That Woman” and “Oh, Gemini” to more sentimental, vulnerable songs like “Frances,” ROLE MODEL showcased his unique ability to fuse the emotional resonance and heartbreak of “Kansas Anymore” with a sense of joy. During “The Dinner,” he led the crowd in repeating the cathartic line “Take me home,” highlighting the power and the sense of community of live music.

Despite the album’s melancholic, heartfelt themes, the show wouldn’t be a ROLE MODEL without its humor and satisfying moments. Cheerful banter throughout the show showcased the singer’s entertaining and magnetic stage presence— he responded with levity and humor to crowd cheers for booty-shaking or signs that teased his likeness to Paul Mescal and other celebrities.

ROLE MODEL’s witty rapport kept the evening playful, jokingly reintroducing himself as other artists like Gracie Abrams and Ross Lynch. He continued a running joke in his shows about his mother supposedly using Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” as a lullaby, as fans sang along and embraced the humor and warmth.

The singer struck a more sincere tone during the ballad “Compromise,” expressing gratitude for his fans’ time and support. These tender moments were balanced by high-energy performances like “blind,” where ROLE MODEL fed off the crowd’s enthusiasm, and his cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else,” which fans had eagerly awaited since its viral Spotify release.

Closing with the lively “Deeply Still In Love,” the singer’s confessional songwriting was juxtaposed with boundless energy, laughter and dancing across the stage. With a classic ROLE MODEL sense of humor during the final moments, he paused dramatically after the line, “I’m sorry, but I’m deeply still in love….” to chug a bottle of beer. The crowd erupted in applause before he finished “…in love with you, Madrid!” 

Capping off a show that embodied the album’s themes of home, growth and hope to move on from the past, ROLE MODEL was right— there was truly No Place Like Tour that night.

ROLE MODEL’s headlining tour is quickly selling out, continuing in New Zealand and Australia in February before he reaches the United States and opens for Gracie Abrams in 2025.