Rex Orange County draped an audience member’s pride flag over his piano in support of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday during his Milwaukee show for the “WHO CARES?” Tour.
Rex took the stage at the BMO Harris Pavilion in a custom Milwaukee Bucks jersey. The number read “22,” seemingly in admiration for Bucks Small Forward and Shooting Guard Khris Middleton, but read “O’Connor” on the back— Rex’s real last name.
“WHO CARES?” hung across the top of the stage in bright neon letters. There were also human-sized thumbs-ups with smiley faces and large cartoon-like flowers with disco balls in the center that sprouted from the floor.
“What’s good, Milwaukee?” were the first words Rex spoke after performing his songs “MAKING TIME” and “AMAZING.” “My name is Rex Orange County and this is the first time that I have ever played in Milwaukee.”
Rex continued the show with fun, uncontrolled Michael Jackson-like spins and kicks. He worked the stage as he jumped down on the stage’s speakers to get closer to fans. It appeared that audience members knew the words to every song.
Rex played songs from his entire discography. He shouted out his 2017 album, Apricot Princess, his 2019 album, Pony, and the most recent 2022 release, WHO CARES?.
The high energy was pumping through the pavilion as the young crowd screamed lyrics and danced around with their friends. There were many laughs, selfies and memories being had.
“Has anyone here known me for a while?” Rex asked the audience, which returned the question with an ear-piercing uproar. “That’s great. What I want to do for this next song is to dedicate this to anyone who has known me for a very long time. This is for you.”
He began to play “Corduroy Dreams,” the only song on the setlist from his 2016 project, Bcos U Will Never B Free. During the transition from the fan-favorite song to the Tyler, The Creator collaboration “OPEN A WINDOW,” a fan threw a pride flag on stage.
Rex smiled as he grabbed the rainbow flag. He waved it in the air while he sang, showing his support during Pride Month. After this, he laid it on his piano, where it was displayed for the remainder of his set.
He continued, asking the audience to give him all of the energy that they have. The disco ball flowers lit up the venue during “IF YOU WANT IT,” undoubtedly one of the most energetic numbers of the show.
“If there was a time in the entire show to give all of your energy, that time would be in a few seconds,” Rex told the audience. “Trust me. Ready?”
He strummed his guitar and the crowd immediately recognized the musician’s biggest song, “Best Friend.” During the middle of the song, he asked for there to be no phones or recordings— just for everyone to live in the moment.
“If you want to film it and show somebody who’s not here— f***k it,” he said with a laugh. “They’re not here!”
Everybody obliged the singer’s requests. The song picked up and everyone jumped along, all while living in the moment instead of focusing on their mobile devices. Rex ended the song with a guitar shred, before ultimately throwing his instrument in the air off to a stagehand.
Beach balls appeared in the audience for “Loving is Easy,” complete with a rainbow light show. The title track “WHO CARES?” was next, before Rex ended the highly energetic two-hour set with the emotional “Pluto Projector.”