Live Reviews

MOD SUN and LovelyTheBand at the Wiltern in Los Angeles – Live Review

Published

1 month ago

November 18, 2024

John M.

I had a chance to make it out very last minute on a chilly Monday November 11^th to the Wiltern in Koreatown, Los Angeles, Ca. The venue was a beautiful backdrop to showcase 2 Los Angeles based homegrown acts in co-headliners LovelyTheBand and MOD SUN. Both were just finishing up their final night of their Here’s Your Flowers co-headlining full U.S tour. Opening acts on this show were No Love For The Middle Child and singer songwriter Huddy. Huddy was a very infectious pop rock opener, with a good portion of the crowd solidly behind this young man who was engaging and energetic on stage.

MOD SUN would end up taking the stage next, and bringing the energy inside the Wiltern to another level, with a full on balls to the wall performance. Singer Derek Ryan Smith is a ball of chaotic energy, very in tuned to playing to the crowd, while being full on 100% for each song, like “Karma” and “Bones.” Mod Sun had every fan in the audience that night in the palm of his rock star hand, getting everyone to sing along, as he went through a decades long list of songs in his back catalogue, letting everyone know that while he has grown a lot as an artist, he’ll never forget the music he’s made, and the people he’s met along the way. That included bringing out Machine Gun Kelly for a guest spot on the track “Sunshine.”

A simple aesthetic onstage was all that was needed for LovelyTheBand and their passionate fanbase. Starting off the night with the song “What Have I Been Missing,” off their most recent self titled album back in August of this year. The band, a simple three piece of drums and guitar live, showed off their ability to craft and create fun songs that are engaging and captivating without being overbearing or underwhelming. The band rises to the occasion live, and lets the song and their performance be the focal point. Personally speaking, I love me a three piece band, as they can sound as powerful live as they do in studio, and these three manage just that. They danced the Monday night crowd from the cold into the heat, all while keeping the songs at a perfect pace, and playing to the crowd every step of the way.

This is why Los Angeles is always a must stop on any tour, any night. The right bands turn a Monday into a Saturday night.

Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!