Halsey has all the trappings of a world-class pop star but few receipts. The Capital One Arena was only moderately packed on Monday night — a showing that didn't quite fit a singer who, in June, became the first female solo act of 2017 to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 200 with her sophomore album "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom." Outside of "Closer," she's only seen the Top 40 two other times: her contributions to Justin Bieber's "The Feeling" in 2015 and her own "Now or Never" from this year. But there's something to be said for fans who live with a whole album rather than designated singles.
As a performer, the energy was there. The wardrobe changes (a shimmering mesh two-piece to a red floral leotard to a black hoodie) are a pop notch checked off. Her set design included an exaggerated staircase that, coincidentally, resembled that of the National Portrait Gallery outside and across the street, was plenty engaging. She has the voice and the writing chops, and the songs were big and arena-ready. Her performance of "Bad at Love," for example, was an anthemic display of all those traits and an invitation for concertgoers to go full singalong, which they did all night. Halsey did everything by-the-book "right" and with conviction, but the dots didn't always connect.
Her new album, "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom," drew criticism for being too much an amalgamation of other artists instead of something uniquely hers. And on Monday there were plenty of moments that backed this up. Her lone dancer TeeTee, who appeared throughout, was an absolute showstopper and star in her own right. (She has, after all, danced alongside the likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and J.Lo.) But their one-on-one dynamic felt familiar, resembling that of Sia and Maddie Ziegler, albeit with more direct interaction and tons of swagger.
During "Lie," she ran down the middle aisle to a smaller b-stage where she did her choreography splashing around a tiny pool of water; Beyonce's "Formation" tour used water to a similar (but far more stunning) effect. And then there's the silky three-piece ensemble Halsey donned for her "Gasoline" and "Hurricane" encore. The outfit made a few headlines after fans of Ariana Grande accused her of copying Grande's look, but Halsey clarified it was a nod to her own "Badlands" tour style from two years ago.
Throughout the night, Halsey just seemed to be missing that one piece of the puzzle that sets her apart from her peers, but every now and then, a glimmer of what her future could be peeked through.
She dedicated the danceable, queer love celebration "Strangers" to any LGBT people present, as images of same-sex couples passionately making out flashed on the screens behind her as she sang. It was a transcendent moment and a testament to pop's statement-making potential. And it landed with impact because it felt personal. Afterward, she said she saw people walking to the exits before reiterating that those in attendance "bought a ticket to see a queer girl who loves her queer fans" and insisted this would be a safe space. Later, as she sang "Is There Somewhere," she left the stage to walk around the floor hugging her fans. That mutual love and understanding between artist and audience can't be manufactured.
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