Mitski stepped onto the stage at the Roundhouse and was immediately in character. As the Exorcist-inspired synths of Love Me More boomed behind her, she danced around the stage with the childish mannerisms of Alice in Wonderland. By the time she had exited the stage, 80 minutes and 23 songs later, she had pulled off a spellbinding set full of theatrical genius and stunning choreography.
Born Mitski Miyawaki, the 31-year-old singer-songwriter filled up the cavernous space of the Roundhouse with little difficulty. As the five-piece band played the synths and snares of her multi-genre oeuvre, from indie-rock to dream-pop, she danced along with heavily stylised choreography that mimicked the lyrics – and the feelings – of her songs. Take, for example, the moment when she plucks an imaginary peach from the air during indie-rock ballad First Love/ Late Spring. Or when she throws a full-blown tantrum, kicking and screaming on the floor, during the headbanging skronk of Drunk Walk Home.
