As the crowd trickled into the Regency Ballroom on a cold Tuesday evening, November 12th, Casey MQ took the stage solo, which caught me off guard. Despite being alone, his performance as the opening act was anything but sparse. His ambient beats were richly produced, with a heavy bass that fully utilized the venue’s sound system. Casey’s falsetto voice floated dreamily over the atmospheric tracks, creating a seamless blend of sound.
Casey played the keys on a few songs, including “Grey Gardens” from his 2024 album Later That Day, The Day Before, or The Day Before That, setting a contemplative and serene mood. As the show progressed, the crowd grew more engaged, and the highlight of the night was his energetic cover of “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears. The sharp electronic beats, paired with intense strobe lights and glowing blue and purple hues, made the singer’s movements appear choppy, creating a surreal and upbeat effect.
Washed Out, the chillwave project of Ernest Greene since 2008, took the stage to a darkened room illuminated by low, warm lights that gently vibrated against fabric backdrops. Greene stood at the forefront playing his keyboard, while a guitarist and drummer performed, partially visible, behind the glowing backdrops. Throughout the set, synchronized lights projected cool patterns onto the fabric, accentuating the music’s detailed elements—like a glimmering light timed with quick, shooting synth sounds.
The band delivered a smooth yet high-energy performance that had the packed crowd dancing and swaying through the night, creating a super chill and beautiful vibe. Greene’s voice was powerful and occasionally treated with a synth effect, blending seamlessly with the music as if it were an instrument itself.
The band’s organic sound added an extra layer of enjoyment compared to the studio recordings. I especially loved “Hard to Say Goodbye” — such a nice groove and perfect for dancing. Songs from their 2024 album, Notes from a Quiet Life, sounded fantastic live and are well worth exploring.
Between songs, Greene paused to thank San Francisco for its ongoing support of Washed Out over the years, and the heartfelt message was met with growing cheers as the night went on. The performance culminated in the band jamming to spacy cosmic sounds, leaving me perfectly primed for a sweet, mellow night of sleep.
Review and photos by Slava Starikov
