If you’ve blinked recently, you might have missed the rapid but inevitable comeup of The Dare, the moniker for LA popstar Harrison Patrick Smith. Having arose to stardom after collaborations with Charli XCX, The Dare is enjoying sudden icon status amidst the release of his debut LP, What’s Wrong With New York? (2024, Republic Records).
Smith took the stage during the afternoon of Palomosa’s second day, greeting a soaking wet crowd of impressive size, considering the torrential rain. Dressed in his signature, Blues-Brothers-meets-Alex-Turner look of a slim-fit black suit and Ray-Bans, he immediately launched into a rousing performance of “Perfume”, bringing incredible energy with nothing but a backing track and two modular synths behind him.
From what little I knew, I expected The Dare to be a more aloof performer. But fortunately, he moves constantly, meaning the energy never dipped from its starting point of 100%. He marched up and down the stage, folding himself in half over the mic stand, kicking his knee out like a slutty, Gen-Z Elvis. Although he was singing to the complete track (vocals included), he still gave a powerful performance on the mic, with crystal clear diction that has harkened so many comparisons to LCD Soundsystem.
Admittedly, I hadn’t listened to much of The Dare prior to this show, but it turned out to be no problem at all. His energy onstage is nothing short of infectious—a much-needed shot of adrenaline as we stood hunkered in the downpour. And by the time he closed the set with his biggest hit, the debaucherous, degenerate “Girls” (which saw approximately 100% of the audience bouncing around and screaming the oh-so-catchy hook), I think we had forgotten all about the weather.
