The artistic technique or emotional state where a piece of music, art, or a person displays a contradiction between the external appearance and the internal reality — without openly acknowledging it. In music, it refers to the contrast between energetic, upbeat melodies or performative confidence and lyrics that express vulnerability, insecurity, or pain. The juxtaposition reflects the emotional façade people often put on, hiding their true feelings behind a mask of positivity or strength. The key element is that the performance does not break the fourth wall — the song or performance never directly acknowledges the dissonance, instead allowing it to exist in the tension between sound and meaning.
1. Olivia Rodrigo's "Brutal" is a classic example of performative dissonance — the loud, confident sound masks the anxiety and frustration she’s feeling.
2. The song had an overwhelming sense of performative dissonance, where the upbeat rhythm clashed with the loneliness in the lyrics.
2. The song had an overwhelming sense of performative dissonance, where the upbeat rhythm clashed with the loneliness in the lyrics.
by Labourpp February 28, 2025
Get the Performative Dissonancemug. "It was a Danstatic performance. good job!" - an appreciative response to a fantastic dance performance
by Joras August 11, 2010
Get the Danstatic Performancemug. Men who visibly engage in activities to demonstrate their masculinity by paradoxically doing things that are distinctly viewed as traditionally emasculating.
“You see those performative men over there?”
“Yeah, the one with 3 Labubus clipped to his fanny pack and the buff one with red nail polish proudly carrying a protein shake and a copy of Sapiens like it’s the Bible?”
“Yeah, the one with 3 Labubus clipped to his fanny pack and the buff one with red nail polish proudly carrying a protein shake and a copy of Sapiens like it’s the Bible?”
by Beep boop I hate AI August 5, 2025
Get the Performative menmug. When someone tries so hard to look liberal that it starts feeling like a performance art piece. Usually involves flexing their “wokeness” at every opportunity, treating social justice like a competition, and making sure everyone knows they’re the most progressive person in the room.
They’ll post endless photos with marginalized groups (but only for the optics), brag about their “diverse friend group,” and side-eye anyone who doesn’t speak in the latest approved vocabulary. It’s less about genuine empathy and more about getting liberal points.
They’ll post endless photos with marginalized groups (but only for the optics), brag about their “diverse friend group,” and side-eye anyone who doesn’t speak in the latest approved vocabulary. It’s less about genuine empathy and more about getting liberal points.
Did you see Amy call me a radical republican? All I said was I don’t want to call Emily a cat. She even posted about it in her story. She is definition performative liberalism!
by Mish.bel October 22, 2025
Get the Performative Liberalismmug. by Big Bs Too Godly April 10, 2009
Get the Prime Time Performermug. by @fathima July 2, 2024
Get the performance activistsmug. When a man intentionally looks gay or fruity without actually being gay. Usually done to attract women.
by HandlenameUD September 2, 2025
Get the Performativemug.