Somebody Loves You, Pittsburgh: Betty Who Closes Out Pride Month at Spirit Hall

Photos: Abigail McNatt
Review: Chris “Oberrated” Ober

Betty…Who? I could have possibly been one of the few people asking this question walking into the venue, Spirit Hall, located in Lawrenceville within Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On a hot Wednesday evening, things seemed like they were about to get intimate at a venue known for its cozy space, and who better to bring people together than an artist like Betty Who who champions belonging, individuality, and love?

Betty Who wasn’t flying solo on The Out of the Darkness Tour though, she brought the powerhouse trio Molly Grace along with her. They toured together for the entire Eastg coast leg, with Pittsburgh marking Molly Grace’s last show of the tour, making this night extra special for all involved. But before the goodbye hugs and kisses, there was a job to do, and that was to sing and perform. And let me tell you, Molly Grace delivers. Not only can the lead, Molly, sing, but so can her ✨lover girls✨, Mary Clark and McKenna. And I mean really sing. From start to finish, the pipes on these women were on point. And what about the shoWOMANship?! They owned the stage while hitting some moves straight out of the Diana Ross & The Supremes playbook, and I honestly loved every moment of it. Molly Grace is nothing short of fabulous, enticing, magnetic, and magical.

With only two acts on the bill, it was already time for the headliner. Betty Who came out in dazzling fashion, sporting some 90s-esque apparel, accompanied by pounding bass-filled soundwaves and roaring cheers and applause of a raucous audience. It wasn’t long until everyone was dancing and jumping along as Betty was nailing synchronized choreography alongside dancers Chris and Sebastian, as if they were selling the most requested and sought after 90s workout video. Betty Who’s set started with a bang, and it was apparent that everyone in attendance was going to get their money’s worth out of this show.

I can’t emphasize enough the high-level showmanship of both Molly Grace and Betty Who. These two ran the stage in its entirety and used every inch, feeding off the energy of the crowd. Betty Who’s set was so much fun and her and her dancers were giving energy, making it impossible not to vibe and dance with them. Now sure, an artist could do an entire set of high-energy power songs and have the audiences’ feet fall off by the end of the performance, but Betty Who gave us a few slow, intimate moments too. More sentimental and connecting tracks were played like “Missing You” and my favorite slower one of the night, “BIG”, which is such an empowering track. Empowering anthems seemed to be the trend throughout the setlist and I loved that.

Another unforgettable moment of the night was when Betty Who brought out Molly Grace one more time for not only the night but for this leg of the tour. After a brief introduction and reciting why Molly and her lover girls were such a positive presence on the tour, a duet broke out to the tune of “What Dreams Are Made Of” by Hilary Duff from the mega blockbuster movie, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, to which the crowd rightfully lost their collective mind and everyone was singing along and even reciting the smaller nuances from the scene that the song was from. I had a good chuckle from the “sing to me Paolo!”s that crept out from the crowd.

Betty Who came through Pittsburgh and made the packed Spirit Hall sound like a full-blown stadium show. This place was BUMPING and she 100% knew how to work her crowd. Betty closed out the show with some of her biggest bangers like her cover of “Running Up That Hill”, “Somebody Loves You”, and “BLOW OUT MY CANDLE”. She wrapped up the night with her cover of “I Love You Always Forever,” a moment filled with love, energy, and power, which couldn’t have been a more perfect sendoff for her legions of adoring fans reluctantly ending the night and returning to normal life. I can say one thing’s for sure — I won’t be asking “Betty, who?” ever again. Statement made, presence felt. Betty Who is one hell of a performer and is simply iconic.