There are few venues that can transform themselves for their performers as well as Thalia Hall can. Usually when going to see artists like Ichiko Aoba and Gia Margaret, you are hoping for a small quiet venue with a crowd that is ready to experience their beautiful sounds and not necessarily talk throughout. Even the most quiet of shows ever truly reach the stillness that you'd want, but last week at Thalia Hall everything seemed to click together perfectly. The audience was as reverent as I have ever experienced, the venue was set up to dampen as much outside noise as possible, and Aoba and Margaret were able to perform their tender and completely mesmerizing music beautifully.
Gia Margaret started things off with a short set that eased everyone into the evening's vibe. Stationed at a small table adorned with a lamp where her keys and synths laid, giving off the feeling of seeing Margaret performing from her desk. Just off to the side of her bassist sat and together with Margaret performed "Hinoki Wood", where she seem relatively at ease . However she quickly expressed that she was actually quite nervous, asking the crowd for any quick solves. But thankfully those nerves never truly reared up as her set was quite breathtaking as songs like "Solid Heart" and the new track "Alive Inside" were a warm welcome to the night.
In between sets, the stage transformed from the small office of Margaret to the even more welcoming set of Ichiko Aoba. A beautiful and delicate chair sat at center stage, surrounded by mics, stands, and wooden table that were highlighted by a warmly glowing globe. It was another cozy setting that Aoba stepped into gracefully with her guitar in hand. As she sat and greeted the crowd, she made sure to make everyone feel safe and sound at the show: "If you get tired, please always ask for help form those around you. And if you see someone who is not feeling well, please offer them a hand."
That kindhearted aura permeated throughout Aoba's set, really informing every moment of the set. While she is touring in support of Luminescent Creatures, Aoba's set was filled with tracks from her lengthy discography. New songs like "Flag" and "SONAR" fell right in place next songs like "Dawn in the Adan" and the title track off Mahoroboshiya. While her intricate guitar work is obviously the star of the show, her voice certainly matched that high bar throughout the night but especially so during "Mahoroboshiya".
After the ethereal "Space Orphans" Aoba took a moment to recite a poem she had written a few evenings prior. In a show that felt endlessly intimate and cozy, this moment only drew the captivated crowd closer in as she softly uttered lines about her papa, dreams, and music. She followed this with what she called her favorite song: a cover of "Himawari no Ie no Rondo" from the Ponyo soundtrack. This little span of moments really showed off just how talented and willing Aoba is to give everything to her audience.
The final song of Aoba's proper set was utter breath taking. "機械仕掛乃宇宙" or "Clockwork Universe" is a sprawling and beautiful song that has Aoba at some of her most playful sounding, even if the translated lyrics point to more somber thoughts about a continue moving universe. Nonetheless, the song shifts and changes several times throughout it's 12+ minute runtime, evoking a myriad of melodies that nestle gorgeously in Aoba's intricate guitar work. Her voice was as gentle as ever, guiding the reverent audience through this magical journey.
She ended her show with a trio of of songs that once again showed off how much fun she was having on stage. The new and joyful "Sayonara Penguin" had Aoba put one a cutesy penguin voice to the final lines of the songs while "Taiyou-san" sprang forward so effortlessly. The final song of the night, "Omedetou no Uta" really put the quiet and stillness of the the show to the test as she performed it away from the microphone. The crowd became as silent as humanely possible, letting her voice float over them. It was only at the end when everyone exploded into applause and cheering, celebrating such a magnificent show.
All photos by Julian Ramirez.