Photos courtesy of Matine Kazemi (@queenmatine / @tripletakecreativeco on Instagram ; @queen.matine on Tik Tok)
Last month, I had the pleasure of virtually meeting with Jasmine Rodgers, lead singer of the alternative rock group, bôa. While I was in sunny Los Angeles, she was on the other side of the pond in London. Despite this physical – and virtual – distance, the intimacy of the conversation made it feel as though we were in the same room. Last week, I finally found myself in the same room as Rodgers as she took the stage at the Bellwether, a charming venue located in Downtown Los Angeles.
The Bellwether was unlike any venue I had seen before: the walls were lined with campy cutouts of eerie faces and vintage velvet couches. It was a stylistic melody of whimsy, angst, and nostalgia, characteristics that also aptly describe bôa’s discography.
As I stood in the moody venue, the crowd buzzed with anticipation, waiting to see the ‘90s band that has taken the Internet by storm in recent years. The audience was made up of a diverse range of demographics, from old to young – a reflection of bôa’s expansive reach and longevity.
As the clock struck nine, the speakers sent out an electrifying sound, making the crowd seethe with excitement. A few moments later, the members of bôa took their place on stage, instruments in hand. Rodgers made her way to the front of the stage last, projecting her bright grin to the crowd.
Bôa opened with “Deeply” off of their debut album, Twilight. The performance highlighted the band’s alternative roots, with an abrasive sound and edgy lyrics that shook the venue.
Feelings, they're really burning low
They're burning higher than they've ever done before
I need to talk to you, I need to feel it deeply
Your actions now, they're really driving me
Driving me into a deep bed of insanity
Being the first song on the setlist, the performance was an immediate reflection of bôa’s radiant energy and undeniable ability to captivate a crowd. Without a phone in sight, the entire audience was transfixed on Rodgers’ hypnotic vocals and the band’s onstage chemistry.
As red and blue lights floated across the stage, the band seamlessly transitioned into the title track of their latest album Whiplash. Though the album was released after a twenty-year hiatus, Whiplash captures the nostalgic cadence of their earlier work as well as the evolution and maturing of their artistic identity.
Scars now
Maybe they go deeper
Maybe it's all over
Maybe there's time to change
As the night came to a close, the opening lines to their debut single “Duvet” traveled through the sound system, and the band celebrated the beloved song that has been enjoyed by one billion listeners across the world.
As Rodgers approached the mic, she introduced a special guest to help the band finish performing their hit classic – none other than Wisp. As the ethereal artist made her way onto the stage, the crowd, largely consisting of younger fans, roared in surprise. As Wisp began the second verse, the timelessness of “Duvet” shined bright, beautifully demonstrating how a song written in the ‘90s can continue to resonate with future generations decades later.
And you don't seem the lying kind
A shame that I can read your mind
And all the things that I read there
Candlelit smile that we both share
During the entirety of the song, fans of all ages sang the lyrics back to Rodgers, tears streaming down some of their faces. During my interview with Rodgers, I asked how it feels knowing “Duvet” is reaching young people who weren’t even born during the song’s initial release.
“I think the authenticity of our music is hitting the authentic part of these people, and I really enjoy that they get it,” Rodgers responded with a warm smile.
Rodgers’ response was evident that night at the Bellwether, as the chemistry between bôa and the crowd was undeniable. The Internet has not only served as a space for younger generations to revive bôa’s legacy but inspired the band to come back together, create new, timeless music, and make magical nights like this one possible.
Listen to Whiplash below!
