I thought witches were supposed to spread peace & love

L.A. Witch

Artist Website

Opener: DAIISTAR

Venue: The Lodge Room, Los Angeles, CA – May 23, 2025

Vibe Check: 🥱

Mic Check: 🎧

Stranger Danger

Bottom line up front: I had a terrible time and left the show early.

Please don’t trauma dump to strangers you meet at shows… and then talk to them during the set. After 30 minutes of meeting you, I should not know about your health issues, your estrangement with your sister, that one time you got kidnapped in the 90s, or your dissatisfaction with property taxes.

Everyone else was having audible conversations during the set!!

As for L.A. Witch, it should go without saying that, unless you’re Beyoncé or Mariah Carey performing at the GRAMMYs, threatening to kill your sound guy isn’t a good look. (For the record, it’s not a good look for Bey or Mimi either!!) I deeply enjoyed their record DOGGOD and was looking forward to the thrumming energy it provides. I’m disappointed the performance was uninspired and attracted some generally rude people.

Mad props to the service people at The Lodge Room who were funny, helpful, and heavy-handed. Did you know that if you miss the general ticket sale window, you can email them asking if they have a standby list?! They’ll say no, but then they’ll let you know they have a limited drop the day-of at 9 am so hurry before they sell out again!

DAIISTAR Shines

The only reason the show wasn’t an entire bust was because of opener DAIISTAR. Throughout my notes, I had variations of:
i love this drummer… H e L L y E a H … goddamn!! i LOoOoOve this drummer. OMFG, is this drummer the band leader?!1!

Their overall sound is reminiscent of 90s Seattle rock and Billy Corgan’s whiny vocals (peace and love) with a jam-band steady energy inviting you to sway, headbang, and get lost in the sounds. If it weren’t for the drummer’s high-octane style of drumming, I’d have spent the entire performance listing off their musical references.