On the evening of September 14, 2024, the dim lit smokey moody Lodge Room played host to a memorable performance by WHY?, a band featuring lead singer Yoni Wolf, with multi-instrumentalists and backing vocalists Doug McDiarmid, drummer and backing vocalist Josiah Wolf, who is Yoni Wolf’s older brother and their newest member Mol Sullivan. The band is known for their genre-blending style and profoundly clever lyrics. The concert, set apart from others due to its playful crowd interaction, laid back yet lively energy, and innovative lighting, offered a multifaceted experience that sunk deeply within the audience.
The night started off with a vibrant set by Nnamdí. His set was a compelling mix of multiple genres, instantly capturing the crowd’s attention with his distinctive sound. Nnamdí’s performance was not only musically rich but also thematically profound and very personal, exploring themes such as mental health and the ideas of fame and success. His expressive delivery and relatable lyrics set a vibrant tone for the evening that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed based on the energetic applause, perfectly preparing the audience for WHY? to join the stage.
WHY? took the stage with their opening track, “These Hands,” which immediately engaged the audience with its short yet introspective lyrics and smooth instrumentation. The concert’s lighting, featuring gold and purple hues, created a euphoric, dreamlike atmosphere that enhanced the overall experience that shined down on the audience while fans swayed and waved.
As the set progressed, the band’s diverse influences became more apparent. The song “January 20 Something” elicited an energetic reaction from the audience, with headbanging and loud cheers underscoring the track’s louder energy. The romantic lighting and the swirling disco ball added to the intimate and electrifying ambiance to the show. In contrast, the track “These Few Presidents” introduced a sultry beat accompanied by red lighting shining down on the concert goers, sparking an intense response from the crowd releasing screams and cheers of excitement due to the song’s risqué sound.
Throughout the performance, WHY? demonstrated a profound connection with their fans. The band engaged with the audience, comically answering questions and reflecting on their earlier material. Lead singer Yoni Wolf’s playful comment about the bass—“Are you booing the bass? Damn, the bass is great”—evoking laughter throughout the venue and contributing to the evening’s relaxed, engaging atmosphere. These continuous interactions created a sense of friendship between the band and the audience, as fans swayed and moved in sync with the music and lighting, allowing the rays of light to wash over one another.
One of the night’s most touching moments came from one of the band’s most popular tracks, “Marigold.” The stage’s deep purple and blue hues complemented the emotional weight of the song, as fans embraced each other, reflecting on the heartfelt lyrics. The mood shifts as the solemn lighting turns into transformational rainbow-colored lights changing with the upbeat moments within the song, further enhancing the communal atmosphere, the series of colors almost blending not only into each other but the fans as well.
An unexpected highlight of the evening was the band’s cover of Mac Miller’s “Circles.” This rendition took on a folk-like quality, with a calming yellow and blue lighting highlighting the performance’s emotional core. The crowd’s reaction—phones raised and swaying in unison—really showing their appreciation, leading to thunderous applause.
The encore featured an intimate acoustic set, beginning with “Early Whitney.” The dimmed lighting and Yoni’s humorous caution to the crowd—“Resist the urge to sing too much or it’ll fuck it up for the rest of y’all”—created a silly and memorable, personal moment that the venue guiltily giggled at. The concert closed with “Paper Hearts,” leaving the audience in a state of euphoric satisfaction as they banded together as a community for the last time of the night and all stomped along to the beat, their applause echoing long after the final note.
WHY? delivered an unforgettable performance that perfectly combined their genre-defying sound with intimate crowd interaction with moments of humor, both emotional highs and lows, and the overall laid back artistic vibe of the band. The band’s newest member, Mol Sullivan, added such depth with her elegant background vocals and harmonies, further enhancing their performance. WHY? put on a show that perfectly demonstrated their incredible ability to connect with the audience created a personal yet communal atmosphere, offering a concert experience that was both intimately relaxing and exciting. From the gentle sway of a romantic ballad to the raw energy of fan-favorite hits, WHY? provided a night filled with memories that will linger far longer after the music faded into the Los Angeles night.
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