Not Role Model ‘s First Rodeo

Coverage by Anson Tong (@ansonjtong.jpg)

We caught Role Model on the tail end of his North American tour this week. He’s been met with adoring fans new and old, holding up signs referencing inside jokes like his bratty self-promo alter ego Saint Laurent Cowboy and his beef with PEOPLE Magazine over losing the Sexiest Musician Alive title to Harry Styles. The Maine-born indie pop artist has embraced a more Americana country sound in his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, which was released in summer 2024. It’s a breakup album that balances vulnerability, humor, and self-awareness with songs like “Slut Era Interlude” (which is encapsulated by the title nicely) and “The Dinner” (which roasts a certain type of horrifying crowd to be caught up in that brags about investments and talks about Ozempic). Performing live, Role Model brings energy and sass to the stage, repeatedly introducing himself and his band as other beloved pop acts (“We’re Ed Sheeran and we’re so happy to be here”).

After closing out No Place Like Tour, he’ll reunite with Gracie Abrams as her opener for a quick continuation of The Secret of Us tour that includes Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheater this summer, and is set to appear at Lollapalooza on Thursday, July 31.