Dorian Electra Brings Their “Fanfare World Tour” to NYC’s Brooklyn Steel [Photos]

Brooklyn Steel in NYC saw a night of fanfare to celebrate pop artist Dorian Electra’s album of the same name. The artist’s third album, Fanfare, has been a hit with longtime fans while gaining new ones as the “Fanfare World Tour” has already made its way through Europe and parts of North America.

Texas-born, LA-based artist Dorian Electra is known for their world-building albums, genre-contorting pop songs, and flamboyant persona. Electra (they/them) did not disappoint fans who came dressed for the occasion as their hour-long set packed in four outfit changes and non-stop theatricality. The stage was set with candelabras and red curtains before the stage lights dimmed and a Baroquian-style track played. The Fanfare began as Electra took center stage while drenched in a spotlight to perform “Symphony” before being joined by two dancers for “Idolize,” both opening tracks from the album. The night would see Fanfare performed in its entirety (except the track “Lifetime”) as well as fan-favorites from previous releases.

Dressed in a red militaresque ensemble, Electra continued the theatricality with “Puppet” as they were joined on stage by a towering puppet-like creature who mimed Electra’s movements as if pulled by strings. After the creature meandered off stage, the show slowed down for “Adam & Steve” off Electra’s debut album Flamboyant, before ramping back up for “Manmade Horrors.” The first act of Electra’s performance came to a grisly end as they performed “Yes Man” while being bound by their dancers and executed on stage as they called to “cut the fucking fanfare” before the executioner parades around a mannequin head. This performance is meant to give Electra time for a costume change, but fans are so enthralled by the quiet clown sweeping the “blood” off stage (who turns out to be Electra’s real-life father), ending the show’s first act by tossing strands of the mannequin head’s hair into the audience.

The night’s second act began with a new outfit and a new persona, as Electra arrived on stage dressed in a suit and tie while their dancers wore paper bags over their heads. Bathed in green light, Electra continued the show with “anon” and “Phonies” from Fanfare as well as “Ram It Down” and “M’Lady” from their sophomore album My Agenda before ending with “Touch Grass” and dashing off-stage.

The third and final act of the show sees Electra seated at a piano, dressed in a Gaga-esque jacket to perform “Career Boy” before leaving the piano and launching into “Man To Man” with dancers by their side. The show comes to a close with “Warning Signs” and “Wanna Be a Star” before thanking the audience and leaving the stage – followed by an immediate chanting of their name, “Dorian! Dorian! Dorian!”

But no show is complete without a memorable encore, and Electra delivered as they took the stage once more to perform “Sodom & Gomorrah” before being joined by all their backup dancers and the night’s opening performers to close the show with “Freak Mode.”

Dorian Electra @ Brooklyn Steel (Brooklyn, NY) on March 9, 2024

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