Kaya show last night in La
Kaya fucking killed it! Looked amazing, sounded perfect, and the back and forth energy swap with the crowd was electric. Just Kaya, a backdrop playing high quality images and music videos, and I’m pretty sure a dedicated DJ mixing the set live who helped pump the crowd silently from the side. I’m curious who it was. A frequent collaborator or a fellow artist in the scene supporting in the shadows?? The set list was short, but sweet and satisfying as Kaya kept the jams pumping along with minimal interruptions. Mostly pulled from the first half of their career to my happiness, but all fucking jams. Salome had me pumped and I about shredded my voice singing along to Rose Jail. I have a new appreciation for the few newer songs performed as well. I could really feel Kaya’s genuine appreciation of the audience and I’m sure it helped push Kaya even more to deliver the amazing performance we received. 10/10!!
The DJ set was so good. We could hear it from outside in the line and it had us excited. I need to get the list of jams played! Malice Mizer, Buck Tick, Lareine, and Kozi were familiar standouts. Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru was especially impactful after hearing Kamijo’s solo rendition at his show last month in LA. I know my new friend that I met at Kamijo’s birthday party appreciated the inclusion too!
Astrud was also amazing. Such an engaging performer and skilled band. Im sure she’s booked and busy, but visiting bands in need of a support guitarists would find a good musician to fill the slot in Astrud.
I saved the more critical part of my experience for last as to not ruin the mood lol. Male tears put in a good effort, but their set dragged on and didn’t really hit until the last few songs, where interesting vocal effects were heavily utilized. I almost had a faint early Shilfee and Tulipcorobockles vibe at the end, but just barely. The mark was missed a bit as far as musical cohesion in my opinion, but it would have been less noticeable if the set was shorter. The artists hid behind sunglasses the entire time and didn’t engage the crowd much so that lack of connection with the audience was felt. They were first and I was losing interest until Astrud came on and brought my attention span back to life. I was metaphorically hangry and impatient during Male Tears, Astrud was just the appetizer I needed, and Kaya was the main course and dessert wrapped into one. I left stuffed (and ready for bed) in the end.
Overall I had a blast and recommend seeing Kaya even if you’re only vaguely familiar. The showmanship, crowd engagement, and skill alone will have you pumped even if you only know a few singles. Kaya promised to come back and you’ll definitely catch me there! Totally worth the 9 hour round trip drive from central California.
I hope to see more acts come through to that venue. As fucking sketchy as the neighborhood was (like scary sketchy take an uber directly there and don’t walk in that immediate neighborhood alone), it was nice, cool, and spacious inside. Promoters! Entice Kamijo to do a show there. We got the grand show this year and now I’m wanting an intimate one haha.