Image Credit: Jolie Whittingham

Tucker Pillsbury, better known by his stage name Role Model, recently kicked off the European leg of his “No Place Like Tour.” While I’m convinced he could have easily sold out a much larger venue, he took the stage at Leeds’ O2 Academy on Saturday, 9 November. With the UK concert run limited to just four shows, I was so excited to attend the final performance from my vantage point in the front row of the balcony. 

However, the journey to the concert was every fangirl’s worst nightmare, plagued by train cancellations and rail replacements. Despite the scary teenagers, wedding guests and early Christmas shoppers, we were still able to spot fellow concertgoers by their cowboy hats and plaid.

Greeted by the ever-present construction outside Leeds station, we headed down to the venue situated next to some people’s dream night out; Popworld and Wetherspoons. Even though we were in the wrong queue about thirty times, we eventually made it to our seats with our mouths wide open in awe that we had such a good view, constantly repeating “oh my god, how are we here?”

The opener, 22-year-old Chloe Slater, burst onto the stage, bringing with her an abundance of energy. Her cartwheel was my personal favourite moment, though I suspect attempting it myself would result in me crashing through a drum kit and flattening a few guitars. 

Role Model’s album Kansas Anymore has no skippable songs, a fact that his live performance definitively proved. He began his performance with ‘Writings on the Wall’ and ‘Look at That Woman,’ a pairing of songs that have brightened my mornings this year. It was incredibly impressive to hear how similar Tucker sounded to his album, which added to his powerful and catchy lyrical work.

Next, a minor hitch occurred when Tucker snapped a guitar string during ‘Scumbag,’ but the show must indeed go on. After a quick fix, the set carried on with the haunting pairing of ‘Oh, Gemini,’ ‘A Little More Time’ and ‘Superglue,’ during which Tucker showcased his remarkable ability to make you feel as though you are living through the very relationship that is coming undone. Together, the three songs trace the emotional arc of trying to hold onto someone you know is slipping away, capturing the denial that lingers at the start of every breakup. Then to top it off we had ‘The Dinner,’ a song heavily relatable for those who have moved away from their hometown. 

To follow were ‘Blind’ and ‘Frances,’ two tracks that, like many of Tucker’s songs, draw from his past relationship with YouTuber and influencer Emma Chamberlain. With a smile on his face, Tucker performed ‘Blind’ under a wash of red and blue lights, strutting around the stage with his guitar. However, ‘Frances’ brought a stark contrast, performed under darker lighting with no accompanying instrument. Tucker held onto his belt buckle with one hand and clung to the mic stand with the other, delivering the song with an intense and vulnerable intimacy.

Continuing without his guitar and keeping the same sombre tone, the set moved into ‘Slut Era Interlude,’ which still explored the denial stage of a relationship but began to edge  into anger. As red lights flashed and the stage lighting grew more chaotic, Tucker slowly strode across the stage, rocking his head and dragging the mic stand behind him. 

In my opinion, it became  evident throughout the concert that Role Model’s movements are reminiscent of Matty Healy’s from The 1975. While Healy often makes headlines for his more controversial antics on stage, Pillsbury delivers similar energy in a way that feels entirely true to his own style. This seamlessly leads into the next song: his cover of The 1975’s ‘Somebody Else.’ Tucker picked up his guitar once again, bringing a renewed energy to the stage, and it was the perfect song to enhance the storytelling of the show. 

Since his last UK tour, ‘The Longest Goodbye’ has joined the setlist, and it is a perfect example of how Tucker lets the story itself be the whole show. This was also evident in ‘Something, Somehow, Someday,’ as he sat on his stool with his ‘diary.’ He began by saying, “It’s about two people who are very different, but I believe…” before pausing and correcting himself to past tense: “Or believed they were meant to be, something, somehow, someday.” 

Next up was ‘Slipfast,’ which felt like an anthem for the self-saboteur, completely validating anyone who understands the temptation of destruction. Between his side-steps across the stage and keeping both hands fixed on the microphone, the track instantly became one I have listened to on repeat since I got back from Leeds.

During the water break, we were treated to an impromptu, brief singalong of Lady Gaga’s ‘Shallow,’ which the crowd sang out despite Role Model’s best efforts to stop them. In fact, the only part he really sang himself was “tell me something boy” before reminding everyone that he’d “got more songs to play!”

We then moved into ‘Old Recliners,’ a song filled with regret, is definitely a groovy track, and from my spot up top, I could see the dance moves really coming out during this one. We then ramped up the intensity, leading to an even more vigorous crowd during ‘Some Protector,’ where the front row treated the barrier to a ritualistic bout of head-banging. 

All this built-up atmosphere was a clever lead-in to Role Model’s most popular track, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.’ It is impossible not to dance to, and honestly, every time I listen to it while walking through a city centre, I feel like I look exactly as cool as him in the music video. While London was treated to appearances by Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan, it was arguably just as exciting to see a fan brought up on stage, delivering their ultimate diva moment.

Video Credit: Jorgah Herbert

We finished with ‘Deeply Still In Love,’ which served as a beautifully fitting conclusion. The song delves into accepting a breakup and starting to move on, while still admitting that the love felt may never truly go away completely. With the definitive statement, “This IS my goodbye,” Role Model drew the night to a close. 

While his UK stint was brief, I am sure that he will return again in the future.