The Blair B*tch Project took over City Hall Plaza Oct. 31 for a concert that showcased some of the best women of color in music and the arts from Boston and beyond.
The concert, started in 2023 by Boston-based rapper kei, aims to “discover, highlight and celebrate the hottest, most kick-ass BIPOC creative women we could find,” according to the festival’s website.
In previous years, the concert took place at much smaller venues, such as Garage B at Charles River Speedway. This year, however, with funding from the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture and numerous new sponsors such as Red Bull, the festival was able to move to City Hall Plaza.
“To be able to put on a party that’s able to accomplish so much for not one, not two but three years in a row is such an amazing accomplishment,” said presenter Oompa to the crowd.
Boston-based DJ Brandi Chanel opened up the concert featuring a strong mix of pop hits, hip-hop, R&B and even cultural classics like “Zouk-la Sé Sel Médikaman Nou Ni,” which got folks in a variety of costumes dancing, including the Cupid Shuffle and forming a conga line during the set.
During all the sets, there were also a variety of vendors selling jewelry and shirts, also staffed by women of color, as well as a pair of food trucks, and warming stations for the chilly and windy night.
For the second set, New York-based DJ Kendollaz raised the energy of the crowd with a set centered around hip-hop and R&B, which encouraged plenty more dancing from the audience, this time more focused around dance circles. Towards the end of Kendollaz’ set, Boston-based rapper Chelley Marie came out for a short three-song set, which further increased the energy of the crowd.
After Kendollaz, Chicago-based rock band Mareko + the Slores entirely changed up the vibe with a fast-paced punk rock set, featuring songs from their EP “Slorecore,” such as “Horchata,” “Roofie” and starting a mosh pit with “E.L.Y.W.Y.D,” sending costumes flying around.
The band was dressed up as the cartoon members of the band Gorillaz, playing a bit of “Feel Good Inc.” before the final song of their set, “Buss.” The set was even more impressive given that the band did not use in-ear monitors, unlike most concerts, meaning the members needed to stay entirely in sync with each other, through increasing wind.
Before the headlining set, a short costume contest was held, with contestants including a pair of yellow Teletubbies, the Pope and SpongeBob.
Kei closed out Blair B*tch Project with a set highlighting femininity through a fast-paced hip-hop set featuring songs like “Made Me” and plenty of dancing and crowd interaction throughout. Her set was backed by a DJ and bassist, as well as a few backup dancers throughout the middle.
Unfortunately, the set was cut short as the concert was only permitted to go until 11 p.m. However, kei and Oompa would still get a brief jam out to “Thriller” to close out Halloween night.
