Dora Jar has recently become an artist to look out for in the indie pop scene. After wrapping up opening slots on Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever tour and the 1975’s Still…At Their Very Best tour, Jar set off on her own to promote her debut album No Way to Relax When You Are On Fire.
On Oct. 5 at Globe Hall, Jar took to the stage for a crowd of eagerly awaiting fans dressed head to toe in glitter, ribbons, and gems, showcasing Jar’s ability to inspire creative self-expression. She was joined by The Army, The Navy, an eclectic folk band known for their nostalgic tone and playful, dissonant harmonies. Their performance left the crowd wanting more as murmurs of disappointment filled the room when they announced they were on their last song. However, that disappointment soon turned to cheers of excitement once the audience was reminded of what was to come.
Jar began her show by cutting the lights, a single spotlight lighting her up on stage. She looked off into the distance and pulled out a lip gloss and blush, pretending the audience was a mirror while applying makeup on her face. This creative gesture suggests that she sees her audience as a reflection of herself during these performances. Her opening song, “Behind the Curtain”—an upbeat piece that highlights Jar’s siren-like vocals over a bouncy EDM track—was an electrifying start to the show. Vibrant tracks like this were contrasted with more emotional pieces like “Quiver,” a gut-wrenching ballad about heartbreak and the cycle of returning to the same lover. Other standout tracks were “Multiply,” one of Jar’s most popular songs—an acoustic guitar ballad that builds into an explosive rock piece, and “Ragdoll,” a more vulnerable yet still upbeat track about physical intimacy.
Jar is unapologetically herself on stage, not holding back any emotions. Fear, sorrow, joy, anger, and excitement; she feels it all in front of her audience, which makes her an incredibly vulnerable storyteller. She moves onstage as though the audience and the songs are a part of her. Jar’s raw and unguarded writing, paired with her energetic performance style, left a buzz in the room long after she had left the stage. Dora Jar’s debut shows a promising start for this emerging artist. She has set her place in the music industry as a star that’s sure to rise.
Photos by Emelia Stahl.
