On Wednesday, October 15th, singer-songwriter Garret Clark Borns, better known as BØRNS, returned to the House of Blues San Diego to celebrate ten glistening years of his debut album Dopamine. Joined by opener Courtney Farren, the night blended nostalgia and reinvention as the sold-out crowd experienced a fresh take on the iconic album that first put him in the spotlight.
Courtney Farren opened the evening with a playful twist straight out of a fever dream. Draped in matching cloaks with guitarist Charlotte Reed, the pair emerged to an eerie, Star Wars-esque track that set a surreal tone. Moments later, Farren shed the mysterious façade to reveal her bright, quirky energy. Her stage presence was equal parts whimsical and grounded as she charmed the audience with witty banter, heartfelt lyrics, and an undeniable knack for getting the room to sing along. It was the perfect prelude to the vibrant, unpredictable performance that would follow.
When BØRNS finally took the stage, the room fell into a cinematic hush. He appeared holding a single orange light between his fingertips, twisting it hypnotiglly before laughing into “Seeing Stars.” From there, he floated between piano, guitar, and vocals, stitching each moment into a seamless, dreamlike flow. Fan favorites like “10,000 Emerald Pools” and “Past Lives” hit like waves of serotonin, but this wasn’t just an act of nostalgia.
Between songs, BØRNS incorporated dextreious magic, playful illusions, and snippets of storytelling that blurred the lines between concert and performance art. At one point, he stoped mid-set to demonstrate his childhood talent: making balloon animals. While twisting a balloon into a coyote, he shared a memory of hearing the ghostly howls near his home, sounds that later made their way into the recording of “The Emotion.” When a fan correctly guessed the song, he gifted them the coyote balloon and the band launched into the track.
“The Emotion” was a show stopper—both delicate and explosive. BØRNS’ ethereal falsetto and raw vulnerability gave the song new weight. “The emotion is suddenly out of me,” he sang, his voice soaring, collapsing, and then rebuilding in waves. It was a cathartic moment, and proof that a decade later, Dopamine still hits the heart just as hard.
Backing him were long-time collaborators Jordan Lawler (guitar), David Carpenter (bass), and Kristen Gleeson (drums), each delivering magneti performances. Lawler shredded with unrestrained joy, Carpenter held down grooves with effortless style, and Gleeson powered every beat with precision and fire.
Before the encore, BØRNS playfully assured the crowd that “everything you’re hearing tonight is 98% human and 2% coyote”. Then came the inevitable rush of his most renowned song, “Electric Love.” The crowd erupted, voices joining into one big chorus as energy, light, and unfiltered joy filled the room.
Ten years after its release, Dopamine still feels like lightning in a bottle, and with this performance, BØRNS proved that the magic hasn’t faded—an unforgettable reminder of why this album still resonates with fans today.
