Dan Russell-Pinson – March 19, 2025
“This is my favorite thing to do in the world, so thank you so much for sharing this with me.”, said J, a multi-instrumentalist who records and tours under the name Vienna Vienna, during his recent opening show at The Underground Charlotte.
Based out of Hollywood, California, Vienna Vienna is an up and coming queer artist delivering vulnerable lyrics with loud, upbeat guitar riffs all packaged in a glam-rock exterior. J calls is “glimmer rock”. His shows create an opportunity to let go of your inhibitions, scream at the top of your lungs, and, most importantly, express your true authentic self. J was joined onstage by bassist Aubrey Harris and drummer Elijah Stavely.
Vienna Vienna performing at The Underground Charlotte (Photo by Dan Russell-Pinson)
Most of the songs performed were from Vienna Vienna’s 2024 EP, Wonderland, which helped put Vienna Vienna on people’s musical radar. Additionally, he played a new song, “Cashgrab”, and the latest single, “God Save the Queens”.
The show got off to a chill start with J casually waltzing out on the stage by himself carrying only his Telecaster guitar. In no particular hurry, he strums the opening chords of “Beauty Queen” letting the notes rings an extra beat before his sultry vocals filled the room. By the second verse the intensity is already building up until J explodes into the chorus at the top of his lungs.
“Let me be your beauty queen/ Wrap me up in therapy/ You could be my everything/ I’ll do anything, I′ll do anything, anything”
Vienna Vienna performing at The Underground Charlotte (Photo by Dan Russell-Pinson)
Now with the full band on stage, Vienna Vienna shows the crowd what glimmer rock is all about by launching full-speed into “Make a Man Out of You” — an attitude-laden, glam-rock inspired romp. Both Harris and Stavely shine on this bass and drum heavy performance with Harris nailing the groove while jumping up and down on every beat and Stavely creating a crisp pop on the snare drum.
“This song is about three things that have never done me wrong. This is called Sex, Drugs Whatever.”, says J before launching into another upbeat banger.
“Maybe I’m just clinically depressed/ Maybe I should go and get my head checked/ Maybe I just need a little sex, drugs, whatever this is”
Vienna Vienna performing at The Underground Charlotte (Photo by Dan Russell-Pinson)
The audience had a moment to catch their breath during a very intimate performance of the ballad “One More Last Time” which culminates with powerful, belting vocals that seem to pierce through the back wall of the venue.
Next, the energy goes back to 10 with arguably the most upbeat and fun song of the set, “Vienna (Everything’s Fine)”. Every part of this song is a hook including a very active bass line played perfectly by Harris as her hair flies in every direction. If the crowd had not already fallen in love with Vienna Vienna by this point in the show, this is where the sparks started to fly.
Vienna Vienna closed out the show with the current single, “God Save the Queens”. This one of those songs that is instantly likable and has one of the most infectious guitar riffs in the chorus. Hear this song once and you’ll be singing it in your head for the rest of the week. The 30 minute set ended with both J and Harris on their knees and the audience screaming at the top of their lungs.
“I had a vision of Heaven through the pearly gates/ I saw Freddie kissing Bowie, wearing roller skates”
Vienna Vienna is currently opening up for K.Flay and will close out the tour on March 29th in Los Angeles.
Setlist: March 18, 2025 – The Underground – Charlotte, NC
Beauty Queen (solo)
Make a Man Out of You
Sex Drugs Whatever
Cashgrab
One More Last Time
Vienna (Everything’s Fine)
God Save The Queens
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