Japanese Breakfast and Ginger Root Resume Emotional Melancholy Tour at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater
Last Wednesday, Japanese Breakfast began the 2nd half of the “Melancholy Tour” at SDSU’s Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater. The Philadelphia-based band, alongside California’s own Ginger Root, created a magical and intimate music experience for San Diego on a hot summer night.
Opening for Japanese Breakfast, Ginger Root is Cameron Lew on keys and vocals, Dylan Hovis on bass, and Matt Carney on drums. Describing themselves as “Aggressive Elevator Soul”, Ginger Root brings a pleasant sound mixing influences from Japanese citypop and more modern bedroom pop. They also played with a fun retro aesthetic by using antique hardware like a talk-box into Lew’s keyboard, as well as a modified VHS camcorder to live stream visuals.
Songs like “No Problem” and the ever-so popular “Loretta” show off Ginger Root’s musical talent as well as drive to get the crowd out of their seats and start dancing! They comforted and warmed up the crowd for the upcoming vulnerable and emotional act, Japanese Breakfast.
With Michelle Zauner on guitar and vocals, Peter Bradley on guitar, Deven Craige on bass, and Craig Hendrix on drums, Japanese Breakfast put on a remarkably curated show at SDSU. A serene ocean background, a giant clam centerpiece, moody and harmonizing lights, and the inclusion of violinist Lauren Baba and saxophonist Adam Schatz all came together for one delightful stage.
With the production setting the ambience, Japanese Breakfast began and performed most of their songs off their latest album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), like “Orlando in Love” and “Winter in LA”. The crossover of spiritual guitar riffs, pensive violin chords, and hazy colorful fog truly encapsulates the tone for which Japanese Breakfast is known to capture in their music.
Not only was the headliner able to put the crowd in a state of blissful emotion, but they also flipped the script during their encore. After closing with “Posing in Bondage” they shook up the energy by playing their more uppity and cheerful songs off Jubilee: “Paprika” and “Be Sweet”. The bright yellow lights, energetic crowd work, and an overall happiness in the air to end the night was the cherry on top. Although the theme of the tour is melancholy and sadness, Japanese Breakfast created a beautiful, fun, and memorable atmosphere for everyone to enjoy!
