A cold Minneapolis night is often the perfect backdrop for something warm, bold, and unexpected to unfold, and that’s exactly what happened when Of Empress took the stage in 2025. There was already a hum in the crowd long before the lights dropped. Not the anxious, restless kind—more like a quiet electricity, the sort that comes when everyone knows they’re about to be let in on a secret. Of Empress has always had that effect: they build worlds more than they perform sets, and the audience stepped into that world the moment the first synth pulse rippled through the venue. What followed over the next ninety minutes was a performance shaped by precision, confidence, vulnerability, and a whole lot of sonic texture, the kind that sticks to your memory the way fluorescence clings to the back of your eyelids.
The stage design was minimal but purposeful, allowing the music to sit at the center of everything. Subtle lighting shifts rolled across the backdrop like weather—cool blues, sulfuric yellows, and deep crimson waves that seemed to follow the emotional arc of the set. It was the sort of environment where every bassline felt a little heavier than usual and every vocal harmony hung in the air just long enough to feel personal.
The show opened with a striking choice: “Note to Self,” a Jim-E Stack cover. Starting with a cover can be risky, but here it made perfect sense. The song’s fractured, introspective energy set the tone immediately. Of Empress delivered it with an almost haunting poise, stretching out the tension with soft vocals over a sparse instrumental bed. It was a quiet entry point—unexpected, disarming, and exactly the kind of opening that signals a performer who trusts their craft.
From there the set snapped into sharper focus with “Save Me”, a track that made the entire room feel like it had suddenly found its pulse. The percussion hit deeper, the melodies pushed brighter, and the tempo jump lit a fire under the audience. By the third track, “U Give It Up,” Of Empress had fully locked into that signature blend of danceable rhythms and emotional clarity. The crowd leaned in with each line, especially during the song’s cascading choruses, which felt tailor-made for a live setting.
“Loud” came next, and for the first time in the night, Of Empress completely surrendered to raw volume and intensity. The performance was sharp, a tightly wound burst of energy that finally got the entire floor moving. This momentum carried seamlessly into “Turn the Table,” a track that played almost like a mission statement—assertive, rhythmic, and anchored by a bassline that hit like a heartbeat amplified tenfold. The energy in the room shifted from appreciation to full-blown immersion; the crowd wasn’t just watching the show anymore, they were participating in it.
The midpoint of the set brought a shift in temperature with “Dance for You.” It had an almost liquid quality, smooth and flowing, moving between sultry phrases and shimmering electronic textures. Of Empress delivered it with a softness that contrasted beautifully with the more beat-driven songs that came before. This moment acted as a palate cleanser before the emotional lift of “Bit of Rain,” which felt like a slow exhale after the early-show intensity. The vocals were especially strong here—layered, spacious, and sitting perfectly atop the track’s subtle melodic build.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came with “Give Me Another Chance.” There’s something in that song that feels restless but hopeful, and live, it hit like a quiet confessional whispered into the dark. Of Empress’s voice carried a certain ache, made heavier by the minimal instrumentation. It was a standout in terms of emotional clarity, and you could sense the crowd picking up on it—people got still, got quiet, and let the song wash over them.
The energy began to rise again with “Lorelei,” which brought back the momentum with bright textures and a dynamic vocal performance. This song felt like the beginning of the closing arc, a re-ignition of movement before Of Empress dove into one of the evening’s most anticipated numbers: “When I’m With Him.” The track landed with all the gravity a fan favorite should. Live, it hit harder, especially the chorus, which swept across the room in a wave of harmonics that felt both nostalgic and freshly charged. It was the moment where the crowd and the artist met perfectly in the middle.
By the time “Blasting Through the Speakers” rolled in, the show had hit its victory-lap stride. The song lived up to its title—bold, rhythmic, bursting with energy. This felt like Of Empress at their most confident, leaning into the playful swagger and dance-floor DNA that fans love. The track broadened into a full-room experience, the kind that makes you forget you’re indoors in winter.
The night closed with a final high-impact gesture: “Best to You,” the Blood Orange cover that struck the perfect emotional chord to end the show. It was delivered with a mix of tenderness and precision, honoring the original while giving it a unique sheen through Of Empress’s vocal phrasing and production choices. Ending on a cover was as bold as starting with one, creating a sort of symmetry that framed the entire performance as a curated experience rather than a simple list of songs. It brought the night to an emotional, resonant close.
More than anything, the Minneapolis show demonstrated how assured Of Empress has become as a performer. There’s a defined sense of identity not just in the music, but in the way the music is delivered. Nothing feels rushed, yet everything feels urgent; nothing feels over-produced, yet everything shines with digital precision. That balance made the show feel more like a journey than a collection of tracks. The pacing was tight, the transitions smooth, and the dynamics carefully plotted to guide the audience through peaks, valleys, and intimate pauses.
The crowd left buzzing—excited, energized, warmed against the cold just outside the venue doors. Of Empress offered the kind of show that stays with you, the kind you replay in your mind for days afterward. With an open, emotionally fluent performance and a curated setlist that highlighted both depth and power, Minneapolis got something special: an artist stepping fully into their moment.
Setlist:
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Note to Self (Jim-E Stack cover)
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Save Me
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U Give It Up
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Loud
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Turn the Table
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Dance for You
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Bit of Rain
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Give Me Another Chance
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Lorelei
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When I’m With Him
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Blasting Through the Speakers
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Best to You (Blood Orange cover)