Olivia Rodrigo, the 22-year-old former Disney star, captivated the Roskilde Festival crowd with a high-energy performance. Delivering a blend of pop rock with influences from artists like Alanis Morissette and Taylor Swift, Rodrigo showcased her unique sound and stage presence.

Her performance, hailed as the best of the festival so far, featured Rodrigo in purple leather hotpants and Doctor Martens boots, immediately engaging the audience. From the start, she exuded a “no bullshit” energy that resonated with the crowd, particularly the young women who form a large part of her fanbase.

Rodrigo’s setlist included tracks that delve into themes of heartbreak, anger, jealousy, and insecurity, transforming “male troubles into female power,” reminiscent of her debut album »Sour« (2021). Songs like »obsessed« and »ballad of a homeschooled girl« were delivered with intense physicality, featuring Rodrigo writhing on the stage floor and headbanging. While her studio recordings lean towards pop rock, her live performance leans more towards rock.

The concert also included moments of vulnerability, with Rodrigo performing soulful renditions of her hits »drivers licence« and »happier« on guitar and piano. These quieter moments were met with a sea of smartphone flashlights, creating a shared experience between the artist and the audience.

Despite the overall positive reception, some attendees were reportedly more interested in socializing than listening to the music, a distraction that was frowned upon. The concert was a stripped-down version of her Glastonbury performance, where she brought out Robert Smith from The Cure to perform “Friday I’m in Love”. At Roskilde, it was just her, showcasing her personally written songs.