Review: Kikagaku Moyo in Los Angeles

MusicReview

Sep 26

☆ BY Britt Jacobson ☆

IT DAWNS ON ME AS I’M WAITING IN THE SECURITY LINE- that this is quite possibly the last time that LA will get to see Kikagaku Moyo as a touring band. The band announced an indefinite hiatus following this tour, as they feel they have “truly achieved [their] core mission as a band”. Southern California will have one last chance to see them at Desert Daze Sept 30- Oct 2, but as the final few dates of this tour wrap up, it is time to say goodbye to Kikagaku Moyo as a touring act.

As much as I was feeling this loss as I walked into the Wiltern, I felt it even more so walking out. From the opening notes of this set, I knew that this was going to be one of those shows I reflect back on to reminisce on my youth one day. The band opened with 3 back to back songs before they even spoke to the audience. As they walked onstage, the mission was very clear- to jam, and to jam hard.

The stage setup consisted of the band members and their instruments. There were no set pieces, no ostentatious lighting or fabrics. It was a minimal setup that allowed the audience to truly focus on the music. The lighting rig, while appearing quite minimal, actually consisted of 3 rows of moving head lights hitting the back house curtain. During the introductions of each song, when the music was more mellow and meditative, the lighting reflected this. It was toned down, to again allow the audience to focus more on listening than what they were seeing.

But as each song went higher and higher (I would liken the experience to sitting in a roller coaster cart as it is climbing to the top), the lights were ready for a complete drop. Colorful circles dancing around the curtain, very thoughtfully attuned to the music. The experience of listening to the way they were building each track was almost like being lulled into a trance, a sort of lullaby- and then when you least expect it, they would shake you awake and demand your attention with absolutely face-melting drops. I often found myself gripping my face in disbelief, which is not something I typically experience at shows.

Watching this show was like being invited to a private jam session. When the band would occasionally speak, it was filled with gratitude and what felt like surprise at the attentive appreciative crowd they had before them. These 5 musicians, Go Kurosawa (drums, vox), Tomo Katsurada (guitar, vox), Kotsuguy (bass), Daoud Popal (guitar), Ryu Kurosawa (sitar), were so honed in on their craft, so dedicated to the music they were playing, that I have never seen a show where the audience was quite so plugged in.

The ethereal percussion was so mesmerizing, the audience was absolutely transfixed. I can honestly say that I have never seen 5 bandmates so in sync with one another. They would have to be, to go from such tranquility to controlled frenzy and back. My friend, Michael coined the term “whimsical whiplash” to describe the false sense of security that they lulled us into and then ripped us out of.

Kikagkau Moyo is one of the most talented and unique bands I have had the privilege of seeing live, and it is absolutely heartbreaking that this is their last tour. If you have the opportunity to see any of their final dates, take it. This is not a concert I will easily forget.

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We couldn’t be more stoked to have Suriel Hess as our new headliner for our upcoming LA show 🤩 🫶 Not gonna lie, us & Notorious Noise kinda went OFF with this line up & you’re not gonna wanna miss it - ticket link in bio 🎫