Review: Xana @ Paradise Rock Club 10/16

Photo Credit: Lindsey Blane

Review by Bridget Quinn

Last Thursday night, a crowd lined up outside Paradise Rock Club, tense with anticipation for the “anti-pop” singer Xana to take the stage. Fans huddled together to block the chill of the evening while chatting with new acquaintances. Once doors opened, many made their way to the merch table, run by Xana’s own sister, to grab the now-iconic “Xana jersey,” the unofficial uniform of the night.

The opener, Siena Liggins, brought an unexpected burst of energy. Her set began with pounding electronic beats and autotuned vocals, creating a rave-like atmosphere that startled the audience in the best way possible. Liggins, a pop/R&B artist from Atlanta with clear hyperpop influences, quickly won over the crowd. Her humor and crowd work kept the audience engaged and laughing, bridging a connection to Xana’s energy to come. Standouts from her set included unreleased tracks like “RIOT!” and “f.LAME.” She closed the performance on a high note with a well-known song, “HOTTIES,”  as the crowd’s cheers echoed her playful call of, “Are there any hotties here tonight?”

Before Xana took the stage, “Mr. Brightside” blared through the speakers, prompting a venue-wide singalong that only intensified the anticipation. Technical difficulties briefly disrupted the start of her opening song, “Save the Bullets, Baby!,” but once resolved, the show ignited. Fans screamed back every lyric, especially during the line, “Said I didn’t want you…” answered by a thunderous, “I’m a goddamn liar!” The set continued with “Kicker” and “I Don’t Deserve This,” the latter building to a stunning emotional crescendo.

Xana then kept the energy soaring with fan favorites “Better of Best Friend” and “Homewrecking Era,” dancing across the stage with electric charisma. After the high-octane openers, she paused to introduce her band: Liam McLaren on guitar, Liam Moes on keys, and tour manager Jess Jones on drums.

This moment led to one of the night’s most memorable interactions: Xana invited a fan, Sam , on stage to help choose the next song. Each band member offered an option,  “Lavender Daughter,” “Cocaine,” and “Love Like This,” with the latter emerging victorious. The stage transformed with floral projections and soft, moving lights, perfectly complementing the song’s tender tone.

Later, Xana connected with another fan holding a sign about her first sapphic breakup. With humor and empathy, Xana comforted her, saying, “Friends, we have one going through war,” before dedicating the next song, “Sick Joke,” to her. The crowd shouted the lyric “I blame you” in unison, creating one of the night’s most cathartic moments. The emotional release was felt by all in attendance. She followed it with “Yellow,” bathing the stage in golden light and filling the room with warmth, bringing a more positive tone back to the night.

The participatory energy continued as Xana called another fan, Melenie, on stage to select between “Pray,” “Feral,” and “My Therapist Told Me,” choosing the latter to enthusiastic cheers. Xana expressed deep gratitude for her audience throughout the show, thanking them for their support throughout her career and for embracing her latest album, “The Sex Was Good Until It Wasn’t.” Calling it her “rockstar moment,” she delivered the title track with headbanging passion and infectious confidence.

“Crying After Sex” slowed the pace with emotional intimacy, but the calm didn’t last long as the powerful beat of “Complex” quickly reignited the crowd. “Kitchen Light,” one of her most beloved tracks, followed. The audience erupted as Xana seamlessly transitioned into a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” blending her sound with the pop anthem effortlessly. She closed the main set with “Confidential,” leaving the stage to roaring applause and darkness.

The encore began with an unreleased track, “Is It Everything You Thought,” hinting at a harder rock direction for Xana’s future releases. The audience’s enthusiastic response showed they were ready to follow her into this next chapter. Finally, she ended the night with “4ever,” dedicating it to a recent graduate in the crowd, a fittingly nostalgic and emotional finale to an evening filled with connection and growth.

Overall, Xana delivered a high-energy, deeply engaging show that reflected her dedication to her fans. The setlist balanced beloved hits with new material, and her stage presence was both commanding and genuine. My favorite aspect of the night was the constant audience participation,  which made everyone feel like part of the show’s creation. Xana doesn’t just perform for her fans; she performs with them.