This three-day indie-pop fest will feature both local and international acts like All Girl Summer Fun Band, Pound Sign, Lunchbox, Neutrals, The Smashing Times, Mo Dotti, and many more.
More info can be found here.
KALX Co-Announce: Mosswood Meltdown at Mosswood Park >> Saturday-Sunday July 6 & 7
Alice Phoebe Lou at the Fillmore
On a rainy Friday evening in San Francisco, a sea of buzzcuts and mullets, chunky docs, and lacy nightgowns gathered at The Fillmore to see Alice Phoebe Lou perform live. By the time I had gotten inside, an excited crowd had already packed the venue for this sold-out show, and I made my way to the back to
take in the spectacle. When Lou took the stage, the crowd surges forward, over-pouring with love. They screamed: “You’re a goddess” and “You are our gift”. Lou takes these compliments in stride, laughing off the hecklers’ requests to marry her by saying she is married to the moon, showing off a moon tattoo on her left ring finger. As she begins to sing her opening acoustic set, the crowd goes silent and slack-jawed, mouthing along the words to “Open My Door”, before the rest of the band comes and joins her on stage.
Lou’s performance was a sight both to hear and to see: she stands back-lit by a sea of colorful lights, dancing sock-footed around the stage and looking as though she might dissolve into the light, a mimicry of the sonic qualities of her songs. Her performance thrived off the loving energy of her fans, whom she interacts with easily throughout the entire performance. Lou’s free-loving energy finds her an easy home among a San Francisco crowd, which she mentions as one of her favorite places to stop when she tours. Her soft banter between songs created a sense of intimacy in this large venue as if she is someone you know performing for you rather than a crowd of over 1,000 people.
Beyond the gentle spectacle of her performance, her live sound was stunning in and of itself. Minimal guitar, drum, and synth backing allowed her vocals to shine, proving an impressive show of both control and range. Lou’s lyrical voice has an airy quality that allows the listener to dissolve into her sonic vision. Don’t let her gentle sound placate you though, as her lyrics tell a more complicated story. Songs like “Something Holy” and “My Girl” paint a picture of someone softly screaming to be seen, and to have their desires understood. In a moment of candidness with the crowd, Lou revealed that many of her old songs like “Something Holy” have become more difficult for her to play on this most recent tour, as she has been in the process of seeking out a restraining order against a former partner. She earnestly requests from the audience that they give her space to grow and change as an artist and a person, and who are we to deny her that universal desire?
As the evening wrapped up, Lou finished her performance with an upbeat rendition of “Witches” along with “Dirty Mouth,” the audience singing every word. She thanked the crowd, saying that it had been one of her favorite shows of the entire tour and that she is floored by the love and energy from everyone. I leave the venue floating, bewitched by the gentle magic of Lou’s performance.
Review and Photos By Riley Saham
Agua Pura on KALX Live!
Agua Pura is a Bay Area based Salsa band comprised of all femme/queer musicians. Agua Pura plays a mix of traditional Cuban music, Cumbia, Salsa, Timba, and R&B fusion. The band features Rebecca Rodríguez on conga and vocals, Leela Paymai on bass, Gaby Aldaz on piano, Alexis Harnage on trumpet, Mena Ramos on timbales, Amanda Magaña on bongo and vocals, Maddie Liu on trombone Eos Black on baritone saxophone and vocals, Jacqui Corona on vocals and hand percussion, and Belén Cortes on percussion and vocals. This local Salsa band’s mission is to create a safe space for femme/queer musicians to express themselves and connect to their ancestry. ¡Ay que sigue la salsa Mamá!
Flamingos on KALX live!
Tune into KALX on January 27th at 9pm to hear a live performance by Flamingos!
Formed in 2021 by principal songwriter Tyler Bell, Flamingos are a rock band with a soft spot for strange. Initially a repository for the more raucous and playful pop sensibilities of Bell, the group is anchored by a heavy dose of dischordance and experimental process. Their sound features frenetic melodic interplay between the two guitars, the second touted by Nic Russo, juxtaposed against delicate vocal harmonies provided by bassist Ida B, one half of the tightly-wound rhythm section helmed by drummer Al Miner.
Kalx presents Cecile McLorin Salvant with Cal Performances
Cal Performances, the world-class performing arts presenter at UC Berkeley, is hosting a post-performance reception—exclusively for Cal students—immediately following the concert by jazz singer Cecile McLorin Salvant on Thursday, January 25. Enjoy free food and beverages, and mingle with other Cal students who love the performing arts.
No RSVP is necessary, but tickets to Cecile McLorin Salvant’s performance are required for all reception attendees and their guests. Remember, Cal students receive 50% off of all Cal Performances tickets with each valid ID.
For information about Cal Performances events, exclusive Cal student post-concert receptions, and discounted tickets, visit CalPerformances.org/ucb-