The show takes place on the second Thursday of every month, branding itself with the tagline "Your new super chill, super lit Thursday night." They deliver on that promise, curating a diverse lineup of performers that don't take themselves too seriously but whose contributions showcase each one's individuality.

As hosts, Kylie and Issa bounced off each other's energy. You could tell they loved sharing a stage. They opened with a duet, wearing matching pink outfits (each with its own flair) and using all of the space possible on the runway stage. Later, they jokingly asked the audience how many people actually knew the song they lip-synched to in their opener. Kickback thrived in moments like these; the hosts' love for each other, bubblegum pop, and all the performers in the lineup was so fun to take in that you didn't need to know what song was playing.

Others performers included Sam Ahmed, Viper Fengz, The Dab Boiz, Baby, and Stasia Coup, all Northwest locals and all distinct in their talents. There was prop work and duets, solo lip synchs and pseudo performance art. Everyone's style shone through, with Kylie and Issa bookending the night together in stunning get-ups.

I left Kickback still marveling at the talent and liveliness of all the performers and had to ask the hosts a few questions about how it all came to be.

Nick Rapp: How did y'all decide on a monthly Thursday evening show?

Kylie Mooncakes: When I started doing drag, all of my favorite shows were on the weekdays. Then, when I traveled to other cities recently, it felt like all the great gems that called to the local Queer community were on the weekdays, while weekend gigs were more for Drag Race girls coming to town, or for your standard cis-white crowds.

Issa Man: If I'm being honest, I was just being a girl boss. I wanted a consistent gig but also wanted to leave my Fridays and Saturdays open for bookings.

NR: What is the inspiration behind Kickback?

KM: The vision for Kickback was just to be a show that performers would feel super at home at. We urge them to get high (if that fuels them) and just get loose and have fun with whatever they pull out — whether it's the experimental numbers they've been waiting to show or their fave middle school anthem.

IM: I think we also just wanted a space to be best friends on stage. We both admire each other so much and have a lot of crossovers in our drag tastes, so working together just seemed like a must!

NR: When did you two meet and start performing together?

KM: Me and Issa met back in 2019 when they first moved here from Alaska. I was so immediately taken by their talent and aesthetic, and we bonded over our style, our humor, and our passions immediately. We cooked up a couple fun duo numbers here and there, and even though we take a while to get there, the end results always [feel] so fulfilling that continuing to do this felt like a no-brainer.

IM: Tea.

NR: You're both so tall in heels. Are you ever scared of hitting the beam at Kremwerk?

KM: Every moment of my life.

IM: Well, that was actually a big reason we decided to have the runway stage! So we'd actually have space to dance! That, and we wanted to pay homage to ballroom!

KM: I still hit it though.

NR: Did you sew the floral outfits from your final number?

KM: No! Issa's an indie fashion fiend, and she put us on to House of Aris, this super dope independent brand made by this one Black girl based in Vietnam. Both looks from our first number are Issa's fits that she made too! We bought them at different times, but they ended up fitting kind of perfectly together for the number.

IM: I love House of Aris so much! Working with her is always such a joy, because I have very few boundaries when it comes to fashion! I'll be naked and uncomfortable if it means I get to serve a look, so our collabs are always so wild! Definitely a designer to look out for!