Well, that was fucking delightful.
Heading in, I thought I had a fair handle on what to expect, having heard a handful of Ginger Root tracks. I had no clue. None. I had zero idea I was in for such a treat.
Kicking things off, XinXin set the mood. A funky, jazzy, gorgeous mood. Her set was filled with groove-heavy, jazz-inspired jams, but the real standout for me was the incredible cover of Plastic Love, the City Pop jam that made the crowd go absolutely bonkers. It was one of those moments where you could hear a collective “Yes!” ripple through the crowd, and her execution was spot-on, blending jazzy pop music with a heavy dose of emotions. My only complaint was that a 30-minute set wasn’t nearly long enough. I felt blessed to see their last supporting slot on this tour.
Pearl and the Oysters were absolutely adorable, not just musically but in how they interacted with each other on stage. You could feel their chemistry, and it gave their set a warm, fun energy. It’s rare to see a duo that’s so comfortable and in sync with one another, and their playful banter had the audience smiling just as much as their dreamy, tropical beats.
From the dreamy Flowerland to the fever dream of Triangular Girl, PaTO took us all on a sonic journey through the 60s and 70s.
To top off the night, Ginger Root came in to show everyone how to turn a concert into a performance. I’ve seen some well-done visuals at shows before, but this was some next-level shit that enhanced every part of the show.
Joined by a funky as hell rhythm section, ran through tracks from each of his records. While the band often gave 80’s SNL cast member vibes, these dudes can get down. Ginger Root played a robust 14-song set, including his breakthrough Loretta, often coupled with many an accompanying video playing behind the band.
The retro-inspired projections meshed perfectly with their smooth, laid-back sound, creating a truly immersive experience. In between pre-recorded aspects straight from Ginger Roots’ music videos was the madman with a camera on stage, putting a live 80’s music video while we were watching the concert live.
All this might explain why Ginger Root’s merch line may have been the longest I’ve ever seen, stretching through the venue like these kids were on some kind of pilgrimage. Good for them.