Charli XCX arrived at Barclays Center in May 2025 with the kind of reputation that promises spectacle. Her shows are always talked about for their frenetic energy, high-concept production, and unapologetically pop-forward setlists. Walking into the arena, you could feel the anticipation buzzing in the air—fans wearing glitter, neon, and band merch lined up in the concourses, ready to dive headfirst into a night of hyper-pop chaos. The stage itself was set with futuristic LED structures, a sprawling catwalk, and screens ready to project every digital flourish of Charli’s aesthetic. From the very beginning, it was clear this would be a performance where the visuals were as much a part of the show as the music itself.
The concert opened with the Intro, immediately filling the arena with pulsing lights and an electronic haze. The energy carried directly into 365 (Remix), and fans started jumping in unison, chanting along to every lyric. The momentum continued with 360 and Von Dutch, both of which exemplified Charli’s knack for combining glossy pop hooks with experimental electronic production. On paper, the setlist was a nonstop thrill ride, a perfect blend of her early hits and new material.
But the spectacle was undercut in a noticeable way throughout the night. From the very start, it was obvious that a large portion of the show relied on backing tracks and pre-recorded vocals. Charli’s live vocals were layered over tracks that were heavily produced, and there were moments where the lip-syncing was unmistakable. During songs like Rewind and I Might Say Something Stupid, it was clear when Charli was singing live versus when the track was carrying her, which created a disconnect that occasionally pulled the audience out of the moment. While her energy never flagged and her performance remained confident and physically engaging, it was difficult to feel fully immersed in the music when the live element felt more performative than authentic.
The first act of the show moved seamlessly from high-energy pop to more experimental moments. Club Classics and Unlock It kept the audience moving, with the lights, lasers, and confetti cannons adding to the club-like atmosphere. Talk Talk and Apple (featuring the playful Apple Dance with ROSÉ and Joanday) were visual highlights, combining choreography with a sense of playful chaos that felt quintessentially Charli. The screen projections—glitchy, colorful, and almost overwhelming at times—kept the show from ever slowing down, but they also highlighted how much of the vocal performance was dependent on pre-recorded tracks.
As the setlist progressed, the show leaned into her more experimental and niche moments. So I and its remix, Spring Breakers, and Girl, So Confusing (Remix) all leaned heavily into Charli’s hyper-pop aesthetic: glitchy, maximalist, and deliberately chaotic. While fans who knew the songs inside out sang along with every line, there were times where the heavy reliance on backing tracks made the performance feel less like a live concert and more like a staged audio-visual experience. Everything Is Romantic and Speed Drive brought the energy back up, but again, the moments where Charli’s live vocals broke through the heavily processed layers were fleeting, leaving a slightly hollow feeling at times.
The middle section of the show brought some of the more anthemic moments. Sympathy Is a Knife and Guess (Remix) were designed for audience participation, and the crowd responded with the kind of fervor you’d expect from die-hard fans. Lights flashed in sync with the music, lasers carved the arena ceiling, and Charli’s movements across the stage and catwalk kept the performance visually engaging. However, the lip-syncing remained a noticeable factor—especially in slower or more emotional songs, where the audience would naturally want to hear the raw power of her vocals. The performance itself never suffered for it, but the reliance on tracks made the live experience feel like a slightly polished replication of her recordings rather than a fully organic live show.
The main set closed with a full-circle moment, returning to 365, the song that kicked off the night. It was a fitting way to remind the audience of the relentless, cyclical energy of the concert. By this point, the arena was fully immersed in the chaotic spectacle, lights cutting through the air, fans chanting every lyric, and confetti still floating from earlier moments. While the show was exhilarating in energy and visuals, the repeated reliance on backing tracks created a sense of distance, as if the audience was watching a perfectly rehearsed, high-energy music video live on stage rather than experiencing raw live music.
The encore, however, brought some of the most memorable moments of the night. Party 4 U opened with fans releasing pink balloons to commemorate the final date of the tour—a moment of shared joy that felt intimate despite the size of the venue. Vroom Vroom and Track 10 brought the hyper-pop chaos back to the forefront, with pulsating beats, strobe lights, and interactive choreography. The show closed on a high note with I Love It (the Icona Pop cover), a song that had the entire arena singing along and dancing in unison. It was a reminder of why Charli XCX commands such a devoted fanbase: her music is infectious, her energy is unmatched, and when the live vocals and pre-recorded elements aligned, the performance had genuine moments of magic.
Production-wise, Barclays Center was the perfect playground for Charli’s vision. The combination of massive LED screens, a sprawling stage, and advanced lighting effects created a high-tech, hyper-realistic environment that amplified the songs’ futuristic aesthetic. The choreography, although sometimes secondary to the spectacle, was tight and fun, especially in moments like Apple and Girl, So Confusing (Remix). Fans on the floor got a front-row immersion into the frenzy, while those in the upper tiers still experienced a strong visual and auditory impact, even if the live vocal shortcomings were more noticeable from a distance.
Charli herself maintained her signature charisma throughout the night. Her stage presence is magnetic—every movement, pose, and interaction with the crowd is intentional and confident. While the backing tracks and lip-syncing were noticeable, they did not dampen her natural command of the stage. She moved effortlessly between dancing, singing, and interacting with her fans, creating moments that were undeniably engaging. The show felt like a celebration of pop music as theater: fun, chaotic, and visually stunning, even if the live musical authenticity was compromised at times.
The audience, predictably, was fully invested. Fans sang along to nearly every word, danced in the aisles, and embraced the spectacle with open arms. The setlist’s mix of early hits, remixes, and newer experimental tracks kept the night dynamic and unpredictable, appealing both to long-time followers and those who had come for the high-energy pop experience. Despite the obvious reliance on pre-recorded elements, the energy from the crowd carried through the entire performance, making the concert feel like a shared, celebratory moment even when the live vocals didn’t always match the intensity of the production.
Overall, Charli XCX’s performance at Barclays Center was a feast for the eyes and ears—but it was also a reminder of the limitations of modern pop spectacles. The music was high-energy, the visuals were immersive, and the crowd was electrified, but the heavy reliance on backing tracks and lip-syncing occasionally pulled the audience out of the moment. The show worked best when Charli’s live voice broke through the layers of production, highlighting the real talent beneath the meticulously crafted performance. For fans who love hyper-pop, theatricality, and maximalist concert experiences, the show delivered in spades. But for those seeking the raw, unfiltered power of a live performance, the reliance on pre-recorded vocals could feel like a barrier to full immersion.
Despite these issues, Charli XCX proved once again that she is a pop artist who commands attention on any stage. Her energy, style, and connection with her fans ensured that the night was unforgettable, even if it occasionally felt like watching a glittering, chaotic pop fantasy rather than a fully live concert. Barclays Center was a perfect playground for her vision, and while the lip-syncing was a noticeable downside, it couldn’t completely overshadow the sheer fun, creativity, and spectacle of the night.
Setlist:
Intro
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365 (Remix)
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360
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Von Dutch
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Rewind
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I Might Say Something Stupid
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Club Classics
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Unlock It
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Talk Talk
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Apple (ROSÉ and Joanday do “The Apple Dance”)
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So I
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So I (Remix)
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Spring Breakers
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Girl, So Confusing (Remix)
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Everything Is Romantic
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Speed Drive
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Sympathy Is a Knife
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Guess (Remix)
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365
Encore
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Party 4 U (pink balloons released by fans to celebrate the final date of the tour)
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Vroom Vroom
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Track 10
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I Love It (Icona Pop cover)
The night was a testament to Charli’s unique place in pop music: dazzling, chaotic, and unapologetically maximalist, with moments of brilliance that shine brightest when her live talent breaks through the spectacle.
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