For decades, San Luis Obispo’s variety of venues has provided the area with all sorts of musical entertainment. The Central Coast serves as a pit-stop between the Bay Area and Los Angeles for everything from funk and blues to rock and folk. September was no exception to the variety of talent brought to the Central Coast, presenting artists from the local area, the state and around the world. Check out KCPR’s end-of-September show recap below.
Dry Cleaning at the Henry Miller Memorial Library
By Maile Gardner
On September 22, English post-punk band Dry Cleaning performed in Big Sur with support from Fake Fruit. The outdoor concert took place within a patch of towering redwoods in an isolated section of the coast next to the Henry Miller Memorial Library. Before the show, concertgoers were able to browse the non-profit library, which sells books and provides a gathering place for community events.
Fake Fruit set the stage with an upbeat and playful tone for the night. Band members were laughing, dancing and trying to dodge giant moths on the outdoor stage. Frontwoman Hannah D’Amato even persevered through a long melisma despite swallowing a bug during it.
Dry Cleaning is known for their unique style of spoken vocals contrasted with quick and bouncy instrumentation, and the band’s stage presence reflected this variation. While vocalist Florence Shaw stood still with a detached expression, guitarist Tom Dowse danced around on his tiptoes and bassist Lewis Maynard moved his long hair in front of his face in a joking manner. After playing a few of their 2022 singles, such as “Gary Ashby” and “Don’t Press Me,” the band ended the night with “Scratchcard Lanyard” and “Conversation,” during which Shaw donned a “moth hat” to protect herself from the bugs. Dry Cleaning will continue into 2023 touring worldwide for their upcoming LP, “Stumpwork.”
Drugdealer at SLO Brew Live
By Cayley O’Brien
Swede and Skogen. Courtesy Jaxon Silva | KCPR
On Thursday, September 22, Drugdealer and Swede and Skogen took the SLO Brew Rock stage for a trippy and eclectic performance.
The San Luis Obispo-based band Swede and Skogen opened for Drugdealer with a 45-minute set of original alternative-rock songs, including “Mary Jane Lane,” “Falling Straight” and “Lovely.”
- Drugdealer. Courtesy Jaxon Silva | KCPR
Later in the evening, Drugdealer frontman Michael Collins led the band from a seated position at the keyboard. Eventually moving to the electric guitar, Collins had a prominent stage presence that complemented the alluring vocals and psychedelic visuals. The band performed songs spanning across their discography, including hits “Suddenly” and “Honey,” and even teased unreleased songs from their upcoming album “Hiding in Plain Sight,” to be released on October 28.
Sun Room at the Fremont Theater
By Lily Tenner
- The Grinns. Courtesy Noel Lopez | KCPR
San Diego-based surf rock band Sun Room took the stage at the Fremont Theater on September 23 for a night full of laughs, mosh pits and vibrant music.
Feelings of anticipation and excitement echoed through the crowd as opening act The Grinns took the stage. The fellow California locals played their hits “Mona Lisa Lamborghini” and “Why Do You Lie?” as well as a new track that is yet to be released.
- Sun Room. Courtesy Noel Lopez | KCPR
Later in the evening, Sun Room’s lead singer, Luke Asgian, led the band through an energetic set. Asgian shared stories of the band’s early days and recent travels, mentioning angry yelling neighbors and exploring Europe. The band also dedicated multiple songs to Asgian’s ex-girlfriend and bass player Max Pinamonti’s dad. The show felt intimate and happy, almost as if the audience was in the group’s garage jamming at one of their early house shows.
BENEE at the Fremont Theater
By Mckenna Rodriguez
- BENEE. Courtesy Noel Lopez | KCPR
Alternative pop artist BENEE took the stage at the Fremont Theatre on Monday, September 26, for her first show in San Luis Obispo. The hour-and-a-half long set showcased nearly 20 songs from across her discography, including two of her biggest hits, “Supalonely” and “Glitter.”
She set the tone with the upbeat disco-pop anthem “Make You Sick,” featured on her album “Lychee” released in March 2022, energizing the crowd. Among BENEE’s fast-paced and energetic songs were several of her slower and dreamier ones, including “Never Ending” and “Doesn’t Matter.” In between songs, BENEE interacted with the crowd, complimented fans’ outfits and took a BeReal with a phone thrown onstage. Her performance of the unreleased song “Green Honda” had the crowd asking for her to play it again. To end the night, she played “Sheesh,” a trap-style track featuring Grimes.
Mild High Club at SLO Brew Live
By Ashley Oakes
- Mild High Club. Courtesy Jackie Espitia | KCPR
On Thursday, SLO Brew Live was filled with the music of psychedelic pop group Mild High Club. Alexander Brettin, leader of Mild High Club, quickly changed between a range of instruments, incorporating the melodica and shakers into many of their songs. Two pianists jammed out several solos and each band member took turns mixing music at the front of the stage with Brettin.
With colorful lighting and an eloquent combination of jazz melodies and techno beats, Mild High Club’s groovy music made for a relaxed environment. The energy heightened with the performances of “Homage” and “Me, Myself, and Dollar Hell,” two songs off of their 2021 release “Going Going Gone.” Following the audience’s wish for an encore, the show concluded with a performance of several original mixes.
