Hearty Har and Dream Phases at The Hi Hat

I'll be honest. Sometimes a band DMs me and I tell them I'll check out their band someday. Well, that's what got me aware of Hearty Har, a simple DM. A couple months passed and I noticed they were playing The Hi Hat. Off I went even though it was practically freezing outside and it would have felt much better to just cover myself in blankets at home. I'm happy I went off. They have a '60s style flair to their sound, maybe a hint of the '70s, as well.

Hearty Har

Dream Phases opened the night. For both Hearty Har and Dream Phases, Stranger Liquids was doing the light show. The light show worked perfectly for Dream Phases and their magical sounds.

Dream Phases

Saigo Residency at the Bootleg Theater with MishCatt and October's Child

It was off to the Bootleg Theater for the residency night of Siago.

First up was October's Child with a world music charm.

October's Child

Saigo hit the stage with love songs mixed in with political songs. Sort of an interesting mix of lyrics.

Saigo

MishCatt just got a music visa. She's from Costa Rica. During her set, I seriously understood why she got a music visa.

MishCatt

Cheekface and Sun Sic at The Hi Hat

There was an art walk in Highland Park. And there was the vegan taco truck Plant Food for People. And then there was Cheekface and Sun Sic at The Hi Hat. Not a bad night.

Cheekface did some guitar slamming.

Cheekface

Sun Sic went hair wild.

Sun Sic

Laurent Ruth Ward at the Echoplex

It was off to the Echoplex for Lauren Ruth Ward's last night of her residency. It was a rush from one part of the Echoplex to the other. Well, not exactly a rush, but I didn't exactly get to see full sets of Madison Douglass and The Entire Universe. The reason was that I was also there to see Gypsum who did brief sets out on the patio right after Madison Douglass and The Entire Universe.

Madison Douglass gave the audience some wonderful singer-songwriter tunes.

Madison Douglass

The Entire Universe set things up for Lauren Ruth Ward with a rocking set.

The Entire Universe

Out on the patio, Gypsum gave two sets that brought to mind Local Natives. For their first set, I was able to get to the front of the stage, but for their second set the patio was packed in. So what did I do? I headed outside of the Echoplex and caught the show from outside the patio area.

Gypsum

As for Lauren Ruth Ward? What would you expect. A packed crowd. An energizing set. And wait, a sign language speaker on stage.

Lauren Ruth Ward