Best of KC 2024: Brat summer steers citywide celebrations into indie sleaze fall
Photo Courtesy of KC Pet Project
Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we thought clearly won 2024. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November.
The pandemic aftermath had all of us crocheting, drinking sleepy girl mocktails, and wearing beige linens. Charli XCX saw this and decided that we should all be in the club instead. Brat has dominated this summer with neon green, irony, and party-girl culture. The Dare, Charli XCX, Tove Lo, and SG Lewis have been giving the people the sleazy hits made for the dance floor. Away with “clean girl” aesthetics and in with messy black eyeshadow, glitter, and thrifted flannels.
Kansas City openly embraces the resurgence of the club rat lifestyle brought on by Brat, and many local spots understood the assignment. Woody’s Bar hosted a Brat Party in June, and the line was stocked around the block. Love Stoned followed suit and threw their own Brat Summer Party in the Crossroads in August. The demand to hear those club classics led The Truman to host a Brat Rave in September.
Indie Sleaze may have started in New York City, but it doesn’t have to stay there. Strap on your Doc Martens, smoke a cigarette for the dramatic effect, and take nonchalant photos of your friends on digital cameras, Kansas City. Embrace the “devil may care” lifestyle and play hard; You can still debrief with friends over acai bowls and matcha in the morning.
