G Flip @ El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles
November 3rd, 2023: G Flip, Miki Ratsula @ El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
G Flip - Photos Courtesy of: Natalie Ryan
G Flip closed out their first US headline DRUMMER tour with a bang at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on November 3rd. The show was added after selling out the original last date of the tour on October 27th. Miki Ratsula opened with an upbeat and emotional performance.
G grew up playing drums and was a session drummer before they became the multi-hyphenate performer they are today. In G Flip’s music, it’s clear that the drums are important and the focus on them during the live show is one of the many things that makes it feel so special. Even more so, the drums are all of the band members' first instruments. During Rough, G's three-piece band joins them playing the drums, making a powerful sound and visual.
They played 8 songs from this year's album DRUMMER, for which they have received several ARIA nominations, including album of the year and best live act. Lauren Sanderson also joined G Flip for GAY 4 ME, their single together, which the crowd went wild for. During the song, G added some of Pony by Ginuwine, a delightful surprise.
G Flip will continue the DRUMMER tour in London starting January 24th.
Miki Ratsula
Olivia O'Brien @ The Moroccan Lounge - Los Angeles
August 8th, 2023: Olivia O'Brien @ The Moroccan Lounge - Los Angeles, CA
Olivia O’Brien - Photos Courtesy of: Nicole Ditt
On August 9, Olivia O’Brien brought her second of four LA takeover shows to the Moroccan Lounge. The sold-out crowd was advised to wear their most unhinged clothing items to the show. Fans arrived in both homemade and store-bought items, attempting to showcase just how unhinged they truly are. The newly independent artist included a variety of her music as part of her setlist. Her sultry voice melodically glided through each song and she wore her heart on her sleeve for several emotional ballads. Fans went crazy for some of her older songs, such as “Fuck Feelings,” “Bitches These Days,” and “Sad Songs in the Summer.” Some of her newer music, including the incredibly vulnerable “Born with a Broken Heart,” was met with supportive cheers from the entire room. Recent upbeat single “i should’ve fucked your brother” got everyone jumping up and down in the 200 cap venue. As part of the encore, Olivia came back on stage to sing her first big hit, “i hate u, i love u,” with a little help from special guest, gnash. As he emerged from the side of the stage for his verse on the hit song, the crowd absolutely lost it. If you are looking to support an artist with natural talent, desire to put on the absolute best show possible, and relatable lyrics, look no further than 23 year old Olivia O’Brien!
Frank Turner // Los Angeles, CA
Frank Turner -- The Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA | 28 January 2017
Photos Courtesy of: Kathy Flynn
Three years ago someone gave me a ticket to see Frank Turner at the Fonda Theater in L.A, and my life was forever changed. I watched from the balcony as Frank poured his heart into the audience, and they poured it all back, singing along as one to each and every song. I wondered how I had missed him until then, and vowed to never watch Frank from the balcony again.
Since then I have seen 13 shows, including three I travelled out of state for. When you travel out of state, you sometimes think you are a big deal, “Oh, I travelled a long way for this.” With Frank Turner, you realize most of the crowd has travelled a long way for it. Travelling from show to show is a thing Frank Turner fans do. His audience is fervidly devoted, and after your first show, you understand why. No one, except possibly Springsteen in his prime, puts on a show like Frank Turner.
At the WIltern, Frank Turner took the stage alone with his guitar for his newest song, “Sand in the Gears.” It’s a powerful protest song, turning despair and escapism into action, and, even though the song is brand new, and only played live on this current tour, most of the audience already knew the words, and sang along.
After the simple opening, the Sleeping Souls, Frank’s longtime backing band, bounced on stage, bring the energy up to 11 as they ripped into “The Next Storm,” off of Frank’s most recent album, Positive Songs for Negative People, followed by “I Still Believe” which featured opening act and all around ace songwriter Will Varley joining Frank on stage for a harmonica solo. Frank then proceeded to power through high energy renditions of all his best known songs for the next 90 minutes, while the crowd danced and sang along to everything. The set varies somewhat every night, and the Los Angeles crowd was treated to a brand new rendition of “A Silent Key,” Frank’s ode to Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who died in the Challenger space shuttle explosion 31 years ago to the day.
Opening acts were John K. Samson from the Canadian band The Weakerthans, the Arkells, and Will Varley. All were absolutely wonderful and worth showing up early for.
