Dance-pop musician Charli XCX recently brought her glittery differing vision to the Fox Theater in Oakland showing off what pop music could be.

Charli XCX has been honing her talents since 2007, releasing a steady stream of critically acclaimed experimental pop (Pop 2, Charli), and the rare bubblegum hit (“Boom Clap”, “Break the Rules”). 

Using producer SOPHIE’s digital technique of constructing any sound, be it balloon pop or piano chord, Charli’s music posits that being artificial can be an art unto itself. Her music takes pop to its extremes, using high pitched vocals and big bass beats to tell stories of self-sabotage. 

This has translated to a small army of diehard fans. Charli has referred to her following as a “blessing and a curse.” She’s thankful for them but can never be the simultaneously polished and experimental popstar they would like her to be. 

With an artist like Charli, presentation matters as much as the art itself. Everything about the concert screamed “big event,” from the elaborate set pieces to the costume changes.

Two opening acts preceded Charli. First Baby Tate, whose set was a mix of self-asserting raps and wholehearted but less inspiring ballads. Then A.G. Cook, Charli’s longtime producer. His heavily-autotuned set remixed not only her songs but his own, climaxing in a moonlit rendition of “Silver Cross.”  It turned out to be the last dose of eclecticism the night would see.

In her March 27 show at the Fox, Charli arrived onstage in a puff of smoke, accompanied by two shirtless back-up dancers. When it comes to projecting the image of a modern diva, she is nothing but successful. A vocal track is ever present, allowing for Charli to ad-lib as much as she likes (right before “Baby” she yells, “who’s feeling sexy?”). Blown-up images like a full moon, or a pink candy heart appear behind her as perfect visual fodder for materialistic, 80’s-inspired pop the audience is hearing. 

There are times when the quality of the show dips. Charli performed the  show to promote Crash, her latest album. Crash is an unabashedly commercial project and her most successful release yet. It also contains some of her weakest material in years. “You Used To Know Me” falls completely flat live, as does “Twice.” Though it may be rough, the crowd is down for the ride. Throughout the night there is not one lyric that Charli sings alone.

Just before the encore starts, Charli tells the audience she’s going to ask a very important question. “Who’s the best f–king pop girl of all time?”

The roar in return: “Charli!”