Ahead of her seventh studio album, the British superstar took over local cinemas across 39 cities globally.

When Charli xcx posted footage surrounding the recording of "Rock Music" in Paris' Rue Boyer Studios back in May, I was immediately on the edge of my seat. And when the official announcement of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/charli-xcx-announces-new-album-music-fashion-film-july-24-martin-scorsese-cover">Music, Fashion, Film</a>&nbsp;came around just a month later, I was freaking out to the max.
Not only has the British pop star turned global sensation been one of my favorite artists of all time, but seeing the ways that her 2024 studio album Brat took over the world was something out of a Charli's Angels dream. Charli has soundtracked many of the moments in my life that I look fondly on, and continues to do so today.&nbsp;
But I know there might be some skeptics thinking that I came in late to the party. So, for those who assume that I simply joined the fandom when tracks like "Von Dutch" and "Guess" came out and gained popularity, I have one question for you: What do you know about "!Francheskaar!," "Shake It" or "XCX World?"&nbsp;
I mean, I streamed all the versions of Brat for a combined 5,434 minutes (over 90 hours) in 2024, Charli was my top artist on Apple Music for two years, and I bought last-minute tickets to her 'Brat Arena Tour,' dancing the night away rather than stressing about midterms. I am a huge fan of her. End of conversation.

Me leaving Charli xcx's "Brat Arena Tour" stop at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Photography by Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez.

From July 9-11, the artist invited her fans across the world to head to their local cinema to experience Music, Fashion, Film ahead of its release. Hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tokyo, Mexico City, London, Milan, Paris, Sao Paulo, and Sydney were a part of the first 25 cities that made the cut (Charli announced a second wave, which had 14 new cities and four returning stops). Thankfully, Denver, my hometown, was also included for the spectacle.
Taking place at Landmark Mayan Theatre, the Art Deco Mayan Revival-style building is nestled in Central Denver alongside restaurants, art galleries, and vintage clothing stores. Avoiding demolition in the mid-1980s, the independent movie hub is now a historic landmark in the Mile High City and was going to be the site of an extravaganza full of just about 100 excited fans.
As day turned to night on July 10, I immediately got ready and embraced my inner Marc Jacobs, Martin Scorsese, and John Cale (all of whom are featured on the Music, Fashion, Film album cover). I decided to wear thrifted Chanel sunglasses, thrifted Pierre Balmain black tuxedo, thrifted white Prada button-up, vintage black Bills jeans, and a pair of Adidas Sambas; all of which made me feel like a great contender for a trio of creatives.&nbsp;
Although the drive was a 40-minute commute, I made it 20 minutes early and was welcomed by lovely staff (who complemented my black-and-white ensemble). The theatre's 1930s architecture and look were incredible to see in person, especially since I had never entered the Mayan before. To my surprise, the cashier informed me that Charli had gifted fans a small popcorn in a custom white container, a drink, and a goodie bag that was waiting for me upstairs. With snacks in my hands, I took pictures for fans with the Denver poster and eventually made my way upstairs.

Gifts fans received at the Charli xcx Denver Listening event. Photography by Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez.

Many white bags, placed on a table, were labeled with "Charli xcx: Music, Fashion, Film" and featured a white T-shirt with the album's tracklist, a black pen, a white notepad, a mini white cup, a bookmark featuring Charli, and a note directly from the artist expressing her thoughts about the project while thanking fans for attending the event. "i love you all so much," said Charli towards the end of the letter. "i hope this album inspires you to be whoever you truly are and gravitate towards whatever you love most in life."
Before entering the theatre, staff put all devices inside Yondr pouches, and the feeling of community was stronger than ever with no devices. From fans checking their white bags to local advertisements, the theatre went dark, and Charli appeared on screen to thank fans once again for their attendance and excitement for Music, Fashion, Film. Suddenly, the silver screen turned into a mockumentary-esque event that had behind-the-scenes footage of released tracks like "SS26" and "Wink Wink," exclusive moments with frequent collaborators like A.G. Cook, and arthouse film-like shots throughout.
The first two tracks on the album are already instant classics, so the anticipation surrounding the tertiary song was high in the theater. "Card Declined" focuses on the attempt to spend money to feel something, but ultimately not achieving said task. Its use of rock, smart lyricism, and relatability made it a standout for many in the crowd, including myself. From bop-worthy tracks like "2007" and "Yeah" to reflective moments in "I'm Afraid" and "Magic Metal Montana," the album really blends in the strong backbeat genre in ways that I didn't expect. But no one knew what was coming for the last song.
"No One Lasts Forever Featuring David Cronenberg," Charli's longest song to date, kicked off with the Canadian film director and screenwriter reflecting on one's impact as a creative on society, especially after death. The nearly six-minute track uses repetition and harsh realities to paint the picture that no one or nothing will last forever in the cycle that is stardom. After closing out the screening, the theatre erupted in cheers, people received their devices, and huddled together to discuss the approximately 30-minute experience.
The album's sound and aesthetic weren't in my cards, nor in the artist's. As Charli said in May, "...i never said i was making a rock album," and this is much more than a rock album; it's a cultural reset, it's a moment to go back to basics, it's a time to appreciate the arts in all of its forms. Whether you decode certain sounds from an album, analyze recent runway collections, or simply watch a comfort movie (or even film a TikTok as I did after the event), Music, Fashion, Film is here to honor it all. The album drops Friday, July 24, and I haven't been more excited, thrilled, and eager for something to drop in quite some time, and it's all thanks to the multifaceted talent that is Charli xcx.

I Went To Charli XCX's No Device Listening Party: Here's What Happened

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