Pop and queer icon Chappell Roan (artist name of Kayleigh Rose Amstutz) this year is the main act on Lowlands this year and to honor that artists bring her an ode to the ‘Chappell Roans Literature House’ on Lowlands Sunday. It is an initiative of writer Alma Mathijsen, who himself is ‘Superfan’ by Roan: “Chappell is such a relief for all types of people and especially for queer women. We can’t help but celebrate that they make the world a little better, freer and more fun for many people.”
The program part is called playful ‘Kapel Roan’: a place to worship Chappell Roan and bring its fans together. During the program, various female queer artists deliver an ode to ‘the favorite artist of your favorite artist’, as is more often referred to Roan. The 27-year-old American singer started her career at a young age via YouTube, but only broke through in 2024 with the single ‘Good Luck, Babe!’. This year, Roan is on the main stage at Sziget, Pukkelpop and Lowlands, among others.
Mathijsen presents the program itself. About why she loves Roan so much: “She is dangerous, she dares to be dirty and wild and above all a queer. She is very sincere and is unashamed for who she is. Nothing has been played at all, and people feel that too.” Roan has therefore given Mathijsen a sense of liberation. “She has shown me that it can only work to your advantage, when you dare to show who you really are.”
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Religion
In Kapel Roan, Annefleur Schipper and Vera Siemons of the NTR podcast treat The Lesbian League The worship of Chappell Roan as a kind of religion. “We want to completely bring the fans together in the literature tent,” says Schipper. “We discuss what life was before and after Chappell. We hope that everyone will walk out of the tent with an ‘amen’ and a ‘hot to go!'” Schipper refers to one of Roan’s hits. “Chappell describes the queer experiences in such a normal way in its lyrics that it immediately touches on the experiences of the people who listen to it. It brings everyone who appreciates her together. She celebrates the queer culture, and shows that it does not all have to be tough. She sings very much about all the positive elements and the power.”
Schipper is also happy to be able to draw attention to artists such as Chappell Roan with the ODE. “Women in pop music have to work hard to get a little attention. Chappell is not only a distinct queer icon, but also just a very good pop artist. I am happy that she now gets the attention and the stage she deserves.”
Poet Babeth Fonchie Fotchind also feels the power of Chappell Roan. During the Literature House, she starts a closing struggle with poet Maxime Garcia Diaz, to win the heart of Chappell with poetry. Writer Hanna Bervoets will supplement this with a fan fiction about Roan. “Chappell Roan makes it very clear what she sings about. Her lyrics are explicit, playful and sexy, and it is music that I can also sing for my date,” says Fotchind. “There have been artists who normalize women’s love in music for a long time, think KWM, Kehlani and Janelle Monáe, and Chappell fits nicely in this company for me. Chappell shows in all areas that she does not have to be what the pop music expects from her.”
New Lady Gaga
And that cannot only be heard in music. Chappell performs in full drag costumes and sets a different act for each number. A glitter-Cowgirl for ‘Pink Pony Club’, a cheerleader for ‘Hot to Go!’ Or a loose suit for ‘the subway’. Everyone finds a type to relate to. “She expresses herself with a lot of colors and drag,” says music artist Inge Lamboo, who will bring a musical ode to Roan during the program. “Together with her, she has the perfect mix for a new queer icon.” Lamboo also adores Roan because of her unique voice. “She uses a kind of jodel technique, which was experienced for a long time in pop music as ‘not beautiful’. It is very brave, but it also shows that she is such a good singer. I still try her jodel-gaans in ‘Picture you’ after singing. ”
The impact of Chappell Roan is in any case clear to these queer artists. “Maybe she is the new Lady Gaga,” Lamboo says carefully. Schipper also confirms this. “It is the vocals of Kate Bush with the drama of Lady Gaga. I think she will have a positive impact on many people, both inside and outside the music industry.”
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