Nigerian-American artist Dreamer Isioma kicked off their highly anticipated ‘StarX Lover’ tour with a vibrant and genre-defying performance at Union Stage in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2025. Known for seamlessly blending pop, rock, and soul, Isioma’s music explores themes of personal identity, love, mental health, and social awareness, offering a fresh, powerful voice in contemporary music.
The show marked the beginning of a 25-city North American tour and drew a diverse crowd eager to experience Isioma’s immersive new sound. The tour promotes their latest album, StarX Lover, which was released earlier in the month and marks a bold evolution in the artist’s musical style and thematic depth.
The night began with an opening act by emerging artist Ivri, whose mellow yet compelling set warmed up the crowd. As the stage dimmed and anticipation built, Dreamer Isioma emerged, clad in futuristic attire that mirrored the aesthetic of the new album. The set kicked off with the fan-favorite track “Did You Ever Care,” a song that confronts emotional detachment and personal healing.
The performance was an audio-visual feast. Neon-hued lights flickered in time with pulsing beats, enveloping the crowd in a dream-like ambiance. The visuals projected behind the stage transported the audience to the celestial landscapes and surreal urban settings that inspired StarX Lover. From start to finish, Isioma maintained high energy, commanding the stage with a blend of charisma, vulnerability, and artistic precision.
They performed a wide selection of tracks from the new album, including the introspective “Born 2 Live,” a track that channels grief into resilience, and “I Am Going Through Hell (Bittersweet),” a haunting yet hopeful anthem about navigating mental health struggles. Interspersed with the music were brief spoken interludes where Isioma addressed the audience, reflecting on their journey as a non-binary, Nigerian-American artist and the personal stories that inspired the songs.
“What I wanted with this album—and this tour—is to take people somewhere new,” Isioma said between songs. “This isn’t just music; it’s a world, a feeling, a place where you can let go of everything and just feel free.”
The crowd responded with unrelenting enthusiasm. Many fans knew the lyrics by heart, raising their voices in unison with Isioma’s during key moments. The performance transcended the typical concert experience, becoming more of a communal celebration of authenticity and connection.
One fan, Maria Henderson, 22, traveled from Baltimore to attend the show. “Dreamer’s music got me through so many hard times,” she said. “Seeing them live just made it all the more real. They create a space where everyone feels like they belong.”
Beyond the show’s musicality, it also had a visual language. Costumes reflected the androgynous, space-age themes of StarX Lover, with metallic fabrics, glowing accessories, and avant-garde silhouettes. Each wardrobe change served to reinforce the album’s story arc, symbolizing transformation, struggle, and eventual self-acceptance.
Dreamer Isioma has long stood out in the music scene for their refusal to be boxed into any single genre or identity. Their debut mixtape Sensitive and subsequent debut album Goodnight Dreamer garnered critical acclaim, but it’s StarX Lover that has drawn particular praise for pushing boundaries both sonically and lyrically.
The album leans heavily into layered electronic beats, psychedelic guitar riffs, and ethereal synths. Lyrically, it covers complex emotional terrain, ranging from romantic disillusionment to existential searching. Critics have noted its cinematic scope, describing the album as a multidimensional experience rather than a mere collection of songs.
“This album is the most honest I’ve ever been,” Isioma noted in a recent press interview. “It’s raw. It’s messy. It’s beautiful. It’s me.”
As the concert drew to a close, Isioma performed an encore that featured “Technicolor Lovers,” a euphoric love song that left the crowd in a state of elation. The final notes rang out as confetti rained down, casting the audience in a shimmering glow. It was a fitting end to a night that felt larger than life.
The ‘StarX Lover’ tour will continue through major cities including Cleveland, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles before culminating in Chicago on May 31. Each venue promises to offer fans a similarly transcendent experience, marked by powerful storytelling, stunning visuals, and the kind of emotional resonance that defines Dreamer Isioma’s artistry.
Tickets are available via Isioma’s official website and major ticketing outlets. Given the enthusiastic response to the tour’s opening night, fans are encouraged to secure tickets early.
Dreamer Isioma’s performance at Union Stage was more than just a concert—it was a declaration of creative freedom, a celebration of self-expression, and an invitation for others to join in that liberation. For those in attendance, the night won’t be easily forgotten.