The Thing, The Macks, and Plaster Bring the House Down at Soda Bar – San Diego, November 24th, 2024
If you ever needed proof that indie shows are where the magic happens, you had to be at Soda Bar in San Diego on the final night of the The Thing and The Macks tour who closed out their tour with an electrifying, chaotic, and deeply satisfying performance that showed exactly why DIY and indie music still reigns supreme. The night was a celebration of everything that makes live music so thrilling—raw energy, unpredictability, and a crowd that’s as much a part of the show as the band themselves.
First up was Plaster from San Diego, and they kicked off the evening with a solid, hometown-heavy set that got the crowd fired up. Their music was a blend of gritty rock and indie charm, an easy fit for a local crowd that was more than ready to show their support. Next up was The Macks from Portland—ListenSD favorites who never fail to deliver a spectacular show. This band is pure artistry and extravagance, and their performance at Soda Bar was no exception. The Macks’ set was a stunning mixture of soaring melodies, raucous guitar riffs, and theatrical stage presence that had the crowd completely entranced. They know how to command attention and, as always, they left it all on the stage, giving a performance that felt as much like a wild artistic expression as it did a rock show.
And finally, The Thing from Brooklyn took things to another level. Their set was intense, cerebral, and layered with such depth that it left the entire room in awe. The Thing doesn’t just play music—they create an atmosphere, weaving together intricate textures and moments of unrestrained chaos. They’re a band that takes their time to build tension and then rips it wide open with wild, sprawling soundscapes that feel as unpredictable as they are thrilling. It’s rare to hear a band that can pull off such a dynamic range of emotions, but The Thing does it effortlessly.
The grand finale, though, was something else entirely. For the encore, The Macks and The Thing decided to join forces on stage, and what followed was pure magic. The chaos and energy of a full band—multiple musicians all adding their energy to one big collective moment—was exhilarating. The crowd went absolutely wild as the bands engaged with the audience, with crowd-surfing, stage diving, and a palpable sense of shared euphoria. And then, in an unexpected yet fitting move, they launched into an impromptu cover of Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life—a song that perfectly captured the spirit of the night: loud, raw, and unapologetically fun. The entire room seemed to explode with joy, and you could feel that collective high long after the last note rang out.
This show wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement. It reminded us all why live indie music is such an essential experience—it’s unpredictable, messy, and utterly exhilarating. It’s the kind of night that stays with you long after the show ends. If you’ve ever doubted that the best shows happen off the beaten path, Plaster, The Macks, and The Thing proved it once again. This is why you never miss a show.