Photos by Dylan Simmons
Entering the Fonda Theatre as the final distorted riffs of Her New Knife’s blaring set faded into nonexistence, my night officially commenced with the arrival of hyperpop duo Frost Children. The New York-based sibling duo Angel (bass) and Lulu Prost (guitar) delivered a maximalist, adrenaline-filled set teeming with an overwhelming quantity of sonic influences; Frost Children traversed a seemingly impossible amalgamation of punk, indie sleaze, electro house, glitchcore, emo, and pop soundscapes. “COUP” off 2023’s SPEED RUN evoked what I could best describe as knock knees: that Disney Channel stance associated with pop punk. Lyrics verging on deliberately cheesy accompanied early 2000s electronic dance music, manifesting in a surprisingly danceable track and a therefore unsurprisingly lively crowd. For the most part, the crowd was more than willing to cooperate with Frost Children’s plea for them to dance, and the pit quickly morphed into a veritable tangle of limbs. “FLATLINE,” a dubstep track sampling telephone feedback and police sirens marked a shift away from the emo-tinged “COUP” and into the realm of pop. The pop inflection was ephemeral though, and “LET IT BE” marked a final destination landing somewhere between indie sleaze and European-nightlife-techno. Ignoring the temptation to further unpack Frost Children’s plethora of samples, sounds, etc., where I can honestly say the duo found success was in their physical performance. I cannot recall even a moment of stillness during the entirety of the set, with the pair devolving into a sporadic blur of ice blonde and black hair. The energetic set was a fantastic start for a crowd with energy to spare: a cluster of youths intent on spending the remainder of the show moshing, jumping, screaming, or all of the above.
Not long after Frost Children’s departure, julie took the stage. Framed by soft, warm lighting and grunge-esque set pieces, they quietly tuned their respective instruments over cheers from the crowd. Originating in Orange County, the shoegaze band was formed in 2019 by Alexandria Elizabeth (bass, vocals), Dillon Lee (drums), and Keyan Pourzand (guitar, vocals) as teenagers. The band gained notoriety from early EPs that amassed overnight internet virality; their first single, “flutter,” has garnered 38 million streams on Spotify alone, remaining their most popular song since its release in 2020. Nearly five years later, they’re headlining shows across the U.S. for their debut album, my anti-aircraft friend, which came out this September.
“Her lips are ruby and I forgot the thimble / If I can help it / She’ll caress me in the sky”
“flutter”
My anti-aircraft friend feels like the culmination of everything julie. It builds upon their early discography in a way that remains true to their distinct, grunge sound, while clearly encapsulating the group’s maturation as musicians, as friends, and as individuals over the past five years.
Without even an LP to their name, julie managed to accumulate a loyal, niche fanbase over the years, especially within the alternative music scene in Southern California. Their growth and success were evident as julie packed the Fonda for two nights in a row, concluding the first leg of their tour in their hometown.
Julie launched into the show with “catalogue,” the lead single off my anti-aircraft friend. The upbeat, drum-heavy track was perfect for getting the eager crowd moving. Feeling mosh pits shake the floor and the bass rattle through my chest, I realized just how perfectly curated julie’s performance was. Throughout the show, the band interacted very little with the crowd — but they didn’t need to. In fact, much of julie’s aesthetic upholds a reserved simplicity: from the casual attire of Lee and Pourzand; to the choice of dim, warm lighting over flashy neon hues; to repetitive lyrics almost overpowered by their instrumentals. Because this show isn’t about julie; it’s about the music.
In contrast to many musicians, julie places the center of the attention on their work, not themselves, in their live performances. In between songs, for instance, the band plays eerie, electronic noise that further contributes to their unique aesthetic, rather than filling the silence with uncharacteristic chatter. With little audience interaction, attention is called more closely to the music itself, and in turn, the band’s thoroughly impressive technical skills on each of their respective instruments. Even their lyricism leans highly poetic, using dark, angsty imagery and flowery language to convey deep emotions rather than explicitly coming out and saying “this is a breakup song.” Lines are often repeated and vocals are easily distorted by deafening bass and fuzzy guitar, adding another layer of obscurity to each song’s real meaning, and thus another layer between the fans and the band’s personal lives. Still, this reserved manner contributes to their mysteriously cool aura that attracts fans in the first place.
Julie’s set was a sensory experience in every sense of the word, which somehow elevated their already iconic discography. Their set pieces and lighting created overarching visuals that are consistent with julie’s enduring aesthetic. The bass shaking the walls of the theater and bodies crashing into one another physically manifested the energy of the music. Most importantly, the hour-plus of carefully curated tracks, sounds, and mixing created an unforgettable auditory experience. Alexandria’s intense, emotive screams into the mic over screeching guitar on tracks like “through your window” left me spellbound. Still, their slower, softer tracks like “stuck in a car with angels” are equally impactful, perhaps as a result of the dichotomy of their musical range.
The show slipped by quickly as songs flowed into one another and the crowd danced the night away. Julie finally closed with “lochness,” a fan-favorite track off their first EP, pushing daisies.
“Pretty girl reflection in the mirror / Blue lips, bleached hair with a cold-blooded stare”
“lochness”
Almost immediately after leaving the Fonda, I found myself desperately wishing for another opportunity to see julie live again as soon as possible — always a hallmark of an unforgettable show.
