From bedroom demos to sold-out nights in Hollywood, Wisp gave L.A. the complete celestial treatment this past Tuesday night.
The Fonda Theatre — that red-and-gold art deco musicbox on Hollywood Blvd — was packed wall-to-wall with a crowd ready to dissolve into distortion. Phones were down (and up). Eyes were fixed in awe. Everyone knew they were about to witness something special.
The evening started with Temachii, a wonderful indie rock/dream pop-esque band whose powerful vocals echoed through the venue, impressing everyone in the room. Once I got back home, I queued up their 2023 album flora maniia and was transported to what felt like a lush forest with whimsical beings floating all around. Temachii’s music complemented Wisp’s so well that they were the perfect opener for this tour. This is why we always catch the openers, you never know, you might find your new favorite band.
The duo Dream, Ivory, took the stage next—a talented dream pop brother duo out of Southern California. I was more familiar with some of their slower work from their 2017 self-titled record, but I was impressed with their set, which consisted largely of their newer work, showcasing an evolution towards a slightly faster and heavier sound.
We got to 9:30 p.m. quickly, and it was time for the headliner, Wisp. After first hearing her song “Your Face” off her 2024 Pandora EP, I was hooked. And now, Wisp’s recently released debut album, If Not Winter, has been playing on repeat in my AirPods.
Born Natalie R. Lu, Wisp’s dream pop/shoegaze sound is heavily influenced by artists such as Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, and Whirr, yet remains uniquely her own, reflecting her vision. Through ethereal storytelling, her sound drifts into a realm of haunting whimsy and soft-lit magic.
I stood in awe of the talent unfolding before us — a sonic wave of heavy guitars and effortlessly melodic vocals wrapped around me like a dream. When she reached the title track of her album, she paused to share, “This is my favorite song I’ve written.” That sentiment wasn’t just spoken — it was felt. Her passion poured through every note, radiating from the stage and washing over the crowd in a moment of pure connection.
Lately, the LA crowds have felt a bit like a social gathering, lots of people talking through sets and turning their backs to the stage (unfortunately). But everyone who came out on Tuesday night was there for the music. It was refreshing to see so many people engaging with an artist and sharing their work with them.
When Wisp said jump, the crowd basically said, How high? The entire room lit up and leapt towards the ceiling. She expressed immense gratitude and seemed genuinely excited to share her vision on this tour. She also dropped a Fuck Trump, Fuck ICE, and Free Palestine! that everyone supported with a roar.
Before the encore, Wisp kindly asked if it was okay to play two songs instead of one, giggling. She played her just-released, loud and distorted cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” moving me to tears, and ended the night with the aforementioned “Your Face.”
Wisp’s live show was breathtaking, just as great, if not better than the recorded version. My friend and I agreed that this was one of the best concerts we have ever attended.
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