[Photos by Jeslyn Wang]
What initially drew me to the indie pop band Winnetka Bowling League was their ironically intriguing name. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Winnetka Bowl was a go-to spot for me and my friends. It turns out, lead singer Matthew Koma drew inspiration from this bowling league when he founded the band back in 2018. Koma proudly embraces his Valley roots, declaring it the best part of Los Angeles. Nobody will ever argue that fact, ever.
However, I beg to differ. While the Valley holds a special place in my heart, my memories of Winnetka are tinged with the frustration of studying its streets for a driver’s test that didn’t go as planned. Thankfully, discovering this band has replaced those memories with the vibrant discography they’ve created.
On my way to West Hollywood to attend Winnetka Bowling League’s first headlining tour, I passed through Winnetka and reflected on both the band’s journey and mine. The sold-out night at the Troubadour marked not only my first visit to the iconic venue, but also my first time seeing them perform live. Winnetka Bowling League is touring in honor of their recent album Sha La La, which debuted at the end of May. The album’s sunny guitar-driven sound perfectly captures the influence of the Valley’s culture, making it the ideal soundtrack for an LA summer.
Stepping into the Troubadour, I was immediately captivated by its intimate charm—far more personal than I had anticipated. Having no expectations for the evening’s opening, a wave of laughter echoed across the venue as I opened the doors to the main room. There on stage was comedian Stef Dag, whose humor elicited a range of reactions from the crowd. Though the audience was dominated by a younger group, her clever wit and jokes landed with everyone present. Her comedy was unpredictable and entertaining—my stomach grew slightly sore from the laughter she provided.
The comedy set ended, and as the room darkened, vintage TVs on stage began displaying grainy visuals. Next to them sat gumball machines, reminiscent of those found in the arcade of a bowling alley. As Winnetka Bowling League burst onto the stage, my gaze fixated on the prominent letters, WBL, displayed on the backdrop. Matthew Koma, along with his bandmates, Sam Beresford (keyboardist) and Kris Mazzarisi (drummer and his brother), ignited the crowd from the very first electronic beat of “Sha La La,” the opening track from their latest album. The band curated a wide-ranged setlist that spanned their older classics and newest hits, featuring tracks like “America in Your 20’s” and “CVS.”
Koma’s stage presence was fluid, and his interaction with the audience made the already intimate atmosphere even more personal. In between songs, he shared amusing stories, from trolling his kids’ class group chat to describing how his therapist is like a little angel on his shoulder. In celebration of his newly released song, he attempted to FaceTime his collaborator Nicholas Carpenter, known by his stage name, Medium Build. Carpenter didn’t pick up, but Taylor Goldsmith, also featured on the track, took the stage alongside Koma to perform “This is Life.” Their duet exuded theatrical allure, striking a deep chord with the audience.
During an acoustic rendition of “FIMY,” a track that features Demi Lovato, the girl in front of me broke down in tears, clearly overcome with emotion. My attention, now hyper-focused on the audience, revealed a crowd of true fans. Next to me, a man buzzed with energy, focused on the band and singing every word of every song—even the one that had just dropped two days prior.
Emotions swelled as Koma introduced “Astrology & Context,” delving into its origin: a touching homage to a woman who documented her cancer battle on social media. Changing pace, the band revived their classic “Kombucha,” infusing the venue with its pervasive energy. Phones and cameras emerged, eager to capture the finale, as the band closed the evening with their standout song, “Slow Dances.” Bubbles floated across the stage, drifting into the crowd while a disco ball shimmered above the iconic Troubadour sign.
The crowd lingered, hoping for an encore, but I was simply mesmerized by the performance I had just witnessed. My expectations were exceeded beyond measure. Starting the night familiar with only a few of the band’s songs, I left in awe of their entire discography, now the soundtrack of my summer.
Listen to Winnetka Bowling League’s album Sha La La:
