Live from Prague: Slater
Sarah Jagielski is a content writer for KCPR. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Klubovna — Prague, Czech Republic
It is Southern California native Slater’s first time in Europe, much like myself. Greetings from Prague, as we are both certainly a long way from home!
Slater started making music in 2013, heavily influenced by the laid-back culture of Orange County, California and its beaches. Other inspirations include film, friends, and family. I myself have been listening to his music for about five years, drawn in by entrancing, smooth instrumentals and memorable lyrics. Each new project he releases builds upon past works, marking continuous growth and musical experimentation.
I haven’t attended a concert since moving here to study abroad in August, and I am suffering from a major deficiency of live music. My last concert-going endeavor was “One Strange Night in Orange County,” put on by The Garden in Santa Ana, California this past July.
Speaking of, Slater is a member of the Vada Vada independent music label/collective founded by Wyatt and Fletcher Shears of The Garden. How fitting is it that I am here tonight, waiting for Slater to take the stage?
According to Slater himself, Vada Vada means “[being] able to express yourself without feeling the need to be confined to a certain sound, aesthetic, or image altogether,” and Slater absolutely embodies the term.
Ranging from chilled-out tunes perfect for simply cruising (or speeding) in one’s car to enticing, provocative tracks fit for the club, his music does not belong to any specific genre. I would best describe it as a mixture of experimental alternative rock and electronic rap with an undeniable cool factor.
Tonight is the second-to-last show of Slater’s very first EK/EU tour, promoting his most recent 2025 album, “ESI 2.” Having started off on Nov. 2 in Brussels, Belgium, the tour spans 12 shows total with a final performance in Copenhagen, Denmark on Nov. 17. He previously played another 30 shows back in the United States directly before crossing the pond.
I stand armed with my camera and basking in the hazy blue lighting of the venue. The night begins with support from Adam the World, a Slovak rapper living in Prague. His lyrics are unfortunately lost on me as I do not speak any Slovak, but the vibes are there regardless and the setup is successful. Not to be cliche, but music really is a universal language.
Before I know it, the lighting shifts and Slater emerges on stage. He wears a black puffer jacket with a fur-lined hood, a stylish testament to the onsetting European winter. Taking his rightful place at the center-stage DJ stand, he plays fan favorites including “Burnt,” “Sp33din’,” “Swallowed My Key,” “She Looked Just Like a Doll,” and “ESI” (to name a few). The energy of the crowd intensifies as Slater moves about the stage with his microphone, the lights flashing and changing color to compliment the sound and atmosphere of each track.
From “ESI 2,” Slater plays “No Mas,” “I’m in the Gang,” and “So Much Blood.” These newer songs are all a blast to hear live. Additionally, “I’ll Put It on Metal,” “Trix,” and “DJ’s Up in the Club” seem to specifically resonate with those in the audience. There’s a lot of bouncing and singing along from the crowd for these few, and I’m honestly quite impressed with the enthusiasm of the Europeans. I didn’t know they got down to SoCal classics like that.
Too soon, the show is over and I’m left with nothing but a wristband and a ringing in my ears. The crowd files out with smiles plastered on their faces. Everyone looks slightly more disheveled now than when they first arrived — a plain sign of a good time, good music, and a great performer.
I’m outside at this point, and I ask the tour manager, Jack, about the setlist to make sure that I’ve caught every song. He tells me, “I don’t know, he kind of just plays whatever he feels like…” which means that I am unable to provide a complete setlist here, but also attests to Slater’s ability to create and stick with a flow that feels right to him in any given situation.
I’m also thankful to have been able to meet and talk a bit with Slater after the show. Such a genuine, down-to-earth guy. I’m a damn fan, and you all should be, too! Slater is currently taking a well-deserved break after this tour, but I should know that creatives can’t sit still for too long of a time… be sure to keep him on your radar!
You can listen to Slater’s discography on Spotify and Apple Music, follow him on Instagram @slater_vv, and check out his music videos on YouTube @VadaVada.
