words/photos Jennie Book

It’s brave and admirable when a main act tours with an opening band that’s fully capable of headlining on their own, which is where Shea Coulee fits as a musician. Touring with Betty Who on the Big! Tour, Shea Coulee opened the show on March 31^st at the Warfield in San Francisco and did more than just warm up the crowd. The crowd was in it for her, fully present, with a full house in attendance not just for Betty Who but for her.

On this second to last night of the tour, Shea’s performance and singing and dancing were dialed in like clockwork, which is a compliment about how in sync and seasoned she was with her dancers and how they knew how to work the crowd and how to entertain after months on the road. Playing hits like “Collide” and “Your Name” made the crowd move, but her pop songs weren’t a Stock, Aiken, Waterman situation. They were fully fleshed out and crafted, like she is as a performer.

The Big! Tour concluded in Los Angeles on April 1, but The Lipstick Ball tour continues in Europe throughout April and then comes back to the States for a few dates in May and June. For up to date information on shows you won’t want to miss check out www.sheacoulee.com.