Photo Credit: Chloe Chippendale
Not going to lie – I was a bandwagon fan. I knew one song, the one everyone knows, and nothing more. After last night though? Role Model has been on repeat ALLLLL DAY. Opening the show with High Hopes 3000, the crowd was instantly captivated by the impressive light display and Role Model’s ability to work a room. He played to a sold out crowd at Citizens Live at the Wylie, a brand new 4,500 capacity space located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, on the venue’s first official day of business.
In his first break between songs, Role Model shared with the crowd his special connection to Pittsburgh. “This is my second home for anyone who doesn’t know. Do we have anyone who went to Point Park here?… My Point Park people, I see you, you are seen.” For those who don’t know, Tucker found music while he was in film school in Pittsburgh. He fell in love with the local scene and wanted to be part of it, taking a leave of absence from school before eventually dropping out. He joked about coming back to finish his degree one day, to which the Point Park alum surrounding me clearly supported.
The show continued with a mix of upbeat, danceable songs and slower “get out your phone light” types of tunes. Part way through Slipfast, he realized the whole song was about Pittsburgh, which of course the crowd loved to hear. There wasn’t a distracted fan in the room – everyone’s attention was on the show the whole time, which can’t always be said nowadays!
Nearing the end of the show, after joking that his next Pittsburgh show will be at the arena next door, he slowed things down with The Wedding. Tucker became distracted before the second verse though… with a proposal up in the balcony! The band continued to play while he congratulated the couple and the entire venue erupted with cheers.
Role Model’s performance concluded with a euphoric performance of Sally When The Wine Runs Out and Harmony, two perfect songs to wrap up the night. My favorite part? No fake encore. Role Model knows better and we love him for this.
Catch Role Model on the remainder of his North American leg through mid-October before he heads to Europe in February 2027. His third studio album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, is available HERE.