Last Saturday, April 20th, former Portland-based alternative singer-songwriter Dan Vidmar (aka Shy Girls) played the Wonder Ballroom. It was the third stop on his month-long North American tour, supporting his sophomore full-length album, Bird On The Wing. Supporting him was soulful singer-songwriter, AKUA.
AKUA started her set at nine, gracing the stage in a red satin two-piece, and carrying only her laptop and a mic. The minimalist equipment generated impressive sounds, as her self produced backtracks shimmered beneath her gentle, yet passionate vocals. Towards the end of her set, AKUA revealed that she had met Vidmar in Los Angeles, where both had recently moved to keep pursuing their music. She recently released an EP, which she wrote and produced, called Them Spirts, which you can listen to here.
Vidmar quickly took the stage after AKUA's departure and filled the ballroom with waves of indie-pop. He didn't talk much throughout the show, but his performance seemed to convey everything he wanted to say. For over an hour he poured out emotional lyrics into the microphone. His pop beats inspired movement in the crowd, and his slower, R&B inspired tracks, time for reflection. At one point between songs, he paused to give thanks, explaining how he started Shy Girls seven years ago in Portland. It was the only mention of the original city.
One element of Vidmar's set that genuinely stood out was the stunning lighting display. Most tours of this size tend to lay back on the lights, while larger tours add more lighting elements as budgets grow. However, Shy Girls' whole set was filled with extensive and eye-catching light cues. This paired with the emotionally compelling music, makes it a show worth checking out.
You can check out the rest of Shy Girls' tour dates here.
Special thanks to Brittani Wert for the fantastic photos. Make sure to check out her Instagram and blog for some amazing concert photography and more Portland show reviews.
Instagram: @bmw231
Blog: B Side Live Music
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