Oblivion is Freedom: Charli XCX begins Music, Fashion, Film Tour in Philadelphia
By: Ari Weiskopf
Charli XCX’s Music, Fashion, Film tour officially began this week at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with Underscores as her opening act. I was lucky enough to have scored tickets to this show, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to attend as a massive Charli XCX and Underscores fan.
On July 24, 2026, Charli XCX released her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film. Following her “Brat” era, the album stays consistent with Charli XCX’s pop roots, but with clear rock inspiration sprinkled in there. The 2026-2027 tour announcement came just over a month before the official release date.
We had no idea what was in store for the opening night. Charli had been teasing songs on her Instagram, new songs and old, and you could feel the energy inside the arena about to burst with anticipation. Underscores came on stage at 7:50pm, and performed multiple songs off her new album, U, along with some older ones. She stated to the crowd that this was her first time playing an arena, but to us, she fit right in.
Charli XCX opened her set with Rock Music, the first single off Music, Fashion, Film. She played multiple songs off the album, such as Wink Wink, Card Declined, I'm Afraid, and Persona (live debut). She also played many from her critically acclaimed album Brat – Apple, 360, and Guess featuring Billie Eilish to name a few.
She then surprised the crowd, announcing that she planned on playing one older song every night of tour. To commemorate opening night, her debut major-label single, Stay Away, which was released in 2011, was played.
Later in the night, she brought back Underscores to perform her hit song, Do It, accompanied by backup dancers and special effects.
Charli XCX finished the night with the last song off her new album, called No One Lasts Forever, featuring screenwriter and director David Cronenberg. The song is about fame, mortality, and permanence as an artist, and the fact that truly, no one lasts forever. She uses this saying as both truth, and a source of freedom, signifying the end of the Brat era. It's a perfect closer to the show, as she stands on stage and Cronenberg's words are projected on her - "They are dead, they are gone; no one lasts forever."
Charli XCX's tour will continue until the end of 2026 and into 2027, when she will travel to Europe and the UK. Underscores will depart as an opener after the North American dates wrap up, with Audrey Hobert set to open in Europe and the UK.
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