Live Review: Holy Wave at Zebulon

Los Angeles has no shortage of music venues, but few have quite the same appeal as Zebulon. The intimate Frogtown venue has become a favorite for music lovers looking to catch some of the more interesting acts working outside the mainstream. On Thursday night, Austin psychedelic rock outfit Holy Wave brought its swirling guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and existential songwriting to the venue alongside fellow Austin rockers Queen Serene. The performance marked the second stop of their 14-show North American tour, which takes the bands through Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Canada.

Opening the evening was Queen Serene, whose sound carried hints of surf rock and garage rock reminiscent of Los Angeles outfit SadGirl, but leaned further into a raw rock-and-roll sensibility. Hypnotic guitar melodies and danceable instrumentals created a steady groove, while deep, almost haunting vocals provided an interesting contrast. Their music felt both nostalgic and refreshing, blending familiar influences into something distinctly their own.

What made Queen Serene particularly interesting was their ability to shift between musical textures without losing momentum. At times, their vocal arrangements took on a playful, call-and-response quality reminiscent of The B-52’s or Stereolab, with voices weaving around repetitive rhythms. Those lighter moments could quickly give way to walls of heavy distortion, transforming their songs into something louder and more aggressive.

The group also brought some humor to the stage, joking about the recent election and the possibility of their home state of Texas turning blue. “Maybe we will be as blue as you,” they joked to the Los Angeles audience before returning to the music. Their set eventually concluded with a final song dedicated to “the rock and rollers,” a fitting sendoff for a band that had spent its time onstage embracing the genre’s adventurous side.

As Holy Wave took the stage, the atmosphere shifted toward something considerably dreamier. The band’s setup was relatively simple, with solid colors illuminating the wall behind the musicians and a disco ball hanging above the room. It was a fitting backdrop for a group whose music already feels like an entire visual experience, allowing their expansive arrangements to command the audience’s attention.

Holy Wave’s performance was a psychedelic rock dream, balancing fuzzy guitar tones, warm keyboards, steady basslines, and drums that could move from restrained to explosive. Their music carried an almost trance-like quality, with repeating melodies gradually building into dense, swirling arrangements. Throughout the evening, the crowd swayed along, seemingly absorbed in the music as the band moved between mellow passages and heavier instrumental explorations.

One of the most compelling aspects of Holy Wave’s music is the contrast between their elaborate instrumentals and relatively simple, often existential lyrics. Songs like “I’m Not Living in the Past Anymore” explore themes of reflection and emotional uncertainty, with straightforward sentiments taking on a different weight when surrounded by layers of distortion and reverb. Rather than competing with the music, the lyrics provide a human element to arrangements that can sometimes feel otherworldly.

The band’s musicianship was particularly impressive during its longer instrumental passages. One extended section began with the drums barely audible beneath the guitars, bass, and keyboards. The percussion gradually crept into the mix, growing louder and more prominent until the entire arrangement erupted into a powerful breakdown. It was one of the evening’s standout moments, demonstrating how effectively Holy Wave could build tension before delivering a satisfying release.

Elsewhere, the band experimented with unusual sounds and playing techniques. During one particularly noisy passage, a guitarist began playing the strings near the tuning pegs, producing a sharp, almost screaming tone that was manipulated through a series of effects. The resulting distortion cut through the surrounding instruments, adding another layer to the performance. The group also incorporated what appeared to be a melodica, further expanding the range of sounds coming from the stage.

Between songs, Holy Wave acknowledged their friends in the psychedelic rock group JJUUJJUU, another act known for its experimental approach to the genre. Despite the complexity of their arrangements, the band maintained a relaxed stage presence, allowing the music to carry much of the performance. When they eventually announced their final song, several audience members shouted for them to keep playing, hoping to squeeze a few more minutes out of the evening.

Ultimately, Holy Wave delivered a performance that felt both immersive and refreshingly unpretentious. Between Queen Serene’s energetic opening set and Holy Wave’s sprawling, fuzz-filled arrangements, the evening offered plenty for fans of adventurous rock music to appreciate. Loud, trippy, and occasionally introspective, it was the kind of night that reminded everyone just how exciting psychedelic rock can be.

1. i’m DADA
2. s33.u.in/HAL
3. first DAE
4. I’m Not Living in the Past Anymore
5. unison
6. US 54
7. Western Playland
8. Adult Fear
9. Buddhist Pete
10. Dewey’s Dirge