Kalie Shorr Rocks this August at The Virgil

West Hollywood Park came alive on Saturday, May 31, 2025, as the OUTLOUD Music Festival lit up WeHo Pride with a vibrant lineup celebrating LGBTQ+ artistry. Among the heavy-hitting names like Lizzo, Kim Petras, and Paris Hilton, Kalie Shorr delivered a standout performance that blended grit, glam, and unapologetic queerness in a way only she can.

For Shorr, this wasn’t just another show, it was a milestone. “This is my first time playing Weho Pride,” she told The Hollywood Times. “I’ve attended as a fan, but it’s a whole different experience getting to play.”

The genre-defying artist, known for fusing pop, punk, and country into a sound all her own—captivated the audience from the first chord. Her set was loud, honest, and deeply personal, a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity that resonated powerfully with the crowd. Whether it was her cover of Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch” (cheekily dedicated to her ex-girlfriends, some of whom were in the audience) or the emotionally raw debut of her long-awaited single My Type, Shorr brought both the heat and the heart.

“I started writing My Type in 2017 when I was still doing country music,” she shared. “The team I was with told me not to come out and said I’d need to change the pronouns in the song if I wanted to release it. That felt like a huge compromise.”

Seven years later, and now with a supportive team behind her, My Type was finally released in its original form, complete with both male and female pronouns. “It feels amazing,” Shorr said. “Getting to play it live at Pride, with my queer fans singing it back to me felt like a full-circle moment.”

Her set was a festival highlight, though one can’t help but wish she had a better placement on the schedule. Still, she made every second count, even if she joked about running out of time before her final song. “That was my fault because I talk too much,” she laughed. “Next time, maybe a longer set!”

Backed by her all-star band, including producer-drummer Tyler (aka Storyboards), Shorr powered through a set that felt as much like a rallying cry as it did a rock show. “She’s our token and single, lesbian drummer,” Shorr quipped mid-set, keeping things light but powerful. The chemistry on stage was electric, reflecting a creative community that’s as authentic as it is talented.

Even her outfit told a story. Designed by friend and drag costume designer Miranda Nichols-Persicom, Shorr’s Pride look was a nod to Shania Twain’s iconic That Don’t Impress Me Much video, complete with a hooded cape that shimmered with drag-inspired flair. “I told her, ‘Can you make me a drag outfit for Pride?’ She said, ‘Hell yeah,’”. “It was a full collaboration—and a heavy one, literally.” Miranda waved to me from afar as we spoke about her.

Her artistry didn’t stop at music and fashion. Shorr also captivated with her command of the stage, whether cracking jokes between songs or engaging the crowd with fiery banter that felt part stand-up, part sermon. Then, she turned the energy inward with American Nightmare, a politically charged track from her upcoming album that voices her frustration with the world as it is.

That emotional honesty, paired with high-voltage stage energy, is what sets Kalie Shorr apart. Her performance at OUTLOUD wasn’t just a set; it was a statement. From coming out on her own terms to creating music that refuses to be silenced or sanitized, she embodies what WeHo Pride is all about: boldness, inclusivity, and owning your truth.

“I think anyone who would be unsupportive of me being queer stopped listening to my music a long time ago,” she said. “My fans are my chosen family. They’ve always known.”

Thanks to OUTLOUD Music Festival, produced by JJLA, audiences around the world can now experience highlights from Shorr’s set online. But make no mistake: no stream can fully capture the raw, live-wire energy she brought to the stage.

Here at The Hollywood Times, we’re hoping for a longer set next time—and maybe a headlining spot. Kalie Shorr has more than earned it.

Until then, we’ll keep rocking with her. And she with us.