Ani Brava - FIRST CONCERT EVER

In this First Concert Ever segment, the indie pop artist, Ani Brava, talks about the story of her first experience with live music. You can check out the story below:

If we skip past classical recitals, church talent shows, and The Phantom of the Opera, my first real concert was Charli XCX at the House of Blues in San Diego’s Gaslamp District. I was already writing music at the time and had even covered Charli’s “Boom Clap” at a local open mic. The opening act was Swedish rapper Elliphant, an artist I’d never heard of, and I was blown away by her swag and commitment. She radiated intensity, fully immersed in her performance, and it frustrated me to see the crowd responding so passively. Still, I went home, devoured her catalog, and I’ve followed her on social media ever since.

Charli’s set was a beautiful mess, in the absolute best way. She tore across the stage in a silky nightgown, sunglasses, plastic tiara, and feather boa, commanding attention with a fierce vocal belt. She banged on drums, climbed speakers, and pulled us all into her chaotic, glittering world. It was magic. Looking back, it’s clear: she was brat all along, it just took the world ten years to catch up.

That first concert was the perfect introduction to the music world. There are thousands of insanely talented artists playing in pool halls, in tiny bars with the football game blaring, or on national tours like Charli’s, and many never get the recognition they deserve. It doesn’t make them less worthy; it’s just the nature of a fiercely competitive field. But every performance is a chance to show your artistry, so you might as well give it everything you’ve got. You never know if there’s a little Ani Brava in the crowd, ready to stream your entire discography.

As for Charli, even though I’ve never met her, I’ve felt a strange pride watching her grow. Though brat really solidified her as a massive artist, what impresses me most is that she continued to create albums and stay true to her vision for over a decade as her persona became more and more defined. Her success story, though exceedingly rare, still manages to inspire me to always follow my deepest artistic inclinations.

Keep up with Ani Brava on Instagram and TikTok.

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