Before King Princess emerged on the El Rey Theatre stage Thursday night, fans were screaming “Let’s go lesbians” in solidarity. Mikaela Straus returned their greeting when the Brooklyn band got ready to play, saying “What’s up gays?” With her debut EP, “Make My Bed,” out now on Mark Ronson’s Zelig Records, Strauss has played her first ever shows this summer. With a solid month under her belt, she that she is a “bougie girl” and “it’s hard to live that life on tour.” That got some laughs. She also said that she has “been going around this nation and it is so inspiring seeing the unity between everyone. I’m not going to go crazy on anyone but the gays are here to stay. All around the country the gays are supportive.” She introduced fan favorite “Talia” as “salty and about a lady,” and then checked in afterwards to see if “y’all made out” during the song. The crowd screamed in response. “That makes me happy, a happy dyke,” Strauss replied. With a message of inclusion that permeated the evening, a fan handed her a pride flag towards the end of the show which she happily wrapped around her shoulders and responded, “It’s my good luck charm, I love it.”
New Jersey’s Donna Missal opened the night stating that she was happy to open for King Princess because her fans are “loving inclusive people that celebrate themselves and each other. I love that.” The New Jersey singer covered Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” during her set.
Set List: Make My Bed, Upper West Side, Best Friend, Sunburn, House Burn Down, Talia, Homegirl, 1950, Queen, Ohio