Music

Inside jokes and pop-star chants with Lana Del Rey

April 11, Boulevard Pool at Cosmopolitan

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Despite long breaks between some songs, Lana Del Rey brought it at Cosmopolitan.
Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna
Jason Harris

1. The former Lizzy Grant has pulled a fast one on everyone. Haters often cite her failed attempt at pop stardom before reinventing herself as the glamorous throwback “indie” queen Lana Del Rey, but judging by the foaming-at-the-mouth packed crowd, she is a bona fide pop star. Chants from the crowd of “Lana, Lana” were loud and often.

2. After Del Rey asked the crowd, “Are you feeling okay?” I almost expected her to follow up with, “Because that’s exactly the vibe my music is going for. To make you feel okay. No better and no worse.”

3. Concert or performance art? Between songs, Del Rey took long breaks, walked over to piano player Byron Thomas and had extensive conversations with him. The two laughed as if they were in on a private joke. And they were, since none of these discussions were on the microphone.

4. Any lingering questions about Del Rey’s skill and energy level from that dull performance on SNL in 2012 were quickly satisfied. She was clearly having fun, beautifully belting out mood-inducing airy hits like “Video Games,” “Young And Beautiful” and “Without You.”

5. Almost as fascinating as her live show were the carefully crafted background videos playing on a large screen behind the stage. The video for “Ride” was shot prominently in the desert outside of Las Vegas and features Del Rey hanging out with a bunch of tough bikers. Del Rey, who has a promotional deal with H&M clothing, should have splashed a large H&M logo across the video, because it looked like the wet dream of a clothing manufacturer’s advertising department.

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