It was nominated as Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary and broadcast on the USApresidential social media feeds and Spotify playlists, and became the nickname of an entire summer. Charli XCX’s “Brat” was just nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and she’s now taking it to arenas around the world. A BRAT tour concert feels like a St. Patrick’s Day spin-off: green clothing and imagery seems obligatory. The show is playful but serious; huge curtains covering the stage display the words “BRAT” or “PARTY”, conveying a sense of minimalism and authority that captivates the entire arena. It’s also sweaty, dance-inducing, and fun. The high-energy performance is channeled through Charli’s unstoppable charisma and stage presence.

Alongside Charli, creative director Imogene Strauss and production design studio Cour Design have worked on her tours for the past several years, creating and evolving a stage that matches her unique personality and energy. Nashville-based Cour Design is a production design firm known for collaborating with some of today’s hottest artists, including Billie Eilish, Clairo and Caroline Polachek. They are committed to delivering creative and ambitious solutions across a wide range of practices, from lighting and set design to animations, IMAG, and much more.

We spoke to Jonny Kingsbury from Cour Design to find out more about the work and ideas behind the BRAT tour production.