KSDT Radio 

“A modern-day lonely hearts club, R&B singer SZA turned the Viejas Arena into one giant group therapy session on Monday night. Who else could get a crowd of nearly 13,000 college students to turn up on a Monday night during exam season? The sold-out show marked SZA’s first San Diego performance since 2017, when she opened for Kendrick Lamar at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. 

Her 28-song set consisted almost entirely of tracks from her sophomore album SOS which released back in December, in addition to a handful of throwbacks from Ctrl and a sultry cover of Erykah Badu’s “Bag Lady.”
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The show ended with an encore performance of “Good Days,” a track initially released as a single and eventually included in the SOS tracklist when the album was released. Assuming the same position atop the diving board that she had taken at the very start of the show, SZA sang the track staring off into the distance, alone on stage. This time, instead of deep and menacing blue waves on the screen, there was a radiant orange sunset, beautiful and hopeful, just like the rebirth and renewal that she sings about.” 

Glorilla Plays House of Blues: Concert Recap (2/28/23)

Photography and Words by Angelina Dyrnaes

GloRilla, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, has had a meteoric rise to fame in the past year. She’s now in the midst of her first tour ever following the release of her debut EP, Anyways Life’s Great. Her 2022 hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” with Hitkidd earned her a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, while her single “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. With both tracks featured on “Anyways Life’s Great”, it was no surprise that her San Diego show on February 9th was completely sold out.

Just a few days after her Grammy debut, GloRilla made her way to the House of Blues in San Diego. The Fader previously reported that GloRilla’s live shows were “not to be missed.” She proved them right to say the very least, as the venue was packed to the brim with eager fans ready to witness the rising star take the stage. She started off the show with the second track on the EP, “PHATNALL”. Her lyrics and delivery were both sharp and impactful, showcasing her immense talent as a rapper. As the night went on, GloRilla’s energy never waned. Her performance was a perfect blend of high-energy bangers and introspective tracks, with a strong focus on her signature flow and catchy hooks.

GloRilla’s “Anyways Life’s Great” tour is a must-see for any hip-hop fan, and it’s clear that she’s well on her way to the top of the game. Her EP of the same name received critical acclaim for its unique blend of hip hop, R&B, and electronic music and is sure to cement her as one of the most exciting young voices in hip-hop today.

Rina Sawayama Concert Recap (1/23/23)

Photography and Words by Angelina Dyrnaes


Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl tour stopped in San Diego at the SOMA Main Stage. It was evident that Rina was prepared to put on a show from the moment she entered the stage, thanks to her electric energy, thematic outfit changes, and spectacular lighting effects.

Hits and rarities from Rina’s album Hold the Girl—such as “This Hell,” “Catch Me in the Air,” and the title track—were included in the setlist. Every song was different and kept the audience on their feet with a mix of pop, dance-pop, and alternative music influences. Every song felt like an anthem thanks to Rina’s strong voice and captivating stage presence, and the audience joined in on every word.

One of the notable aspects of the night was when Rina played “Hold the Girl,” a “thrilling empowerment anthem” that resonated with the crowd. Rina’s message of love and acceptance was particularly timely, and it was clear that this was a song that was going to be a fan favorite for a long time to come.

Overall, Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl tour in San Diego was a thrilling and unforgettable experience. With a diverse set list and captivating stage presence, Rina proved that she is a rising star in the pop music world. If you have a chance to see her live, don’t miss it!

Chelsea Cutler Concert Recap (1/11/23)

Photography and Words by Angelina Dyrnaes

I recently had the opportunity to attend Chelsea Cutler’s When I Close My Eyes tour at SOMA San Diego. During the concert, Chelsea performed a mix of songs from her debut album and her sophomore album, When I Close My Eyes.

One of the highlights of the night was when Chelsea played “Crazier Things,” a song about falling in love with your best friend. It was a beautiful, intimate moment that had the entire audience captivated.

It was clear that this new album represents a new phase in Chelsea’s life, as she sings about finding hope and joy in the midst of heartbreak and adversity. The album’s title track, in particular, stood out as a reminder to find gratefulness for the present moment. Almost like an ode to the famous saying, “You don’t know what you have until you’ve lost it.”

Overall, the concert was an unforgettable experience. Chelsea’s vocals were powerful and emotive, and her stage presence was captivating. The setlist was well-curated, featuring a mix of upbeat and introspective songs that resonated with the audience. I would highly recommend seeing Chelsea live if you have the chance.

Conan Gray Concert Recap (11/8/22)

Photography and Words by Angelina Dyrnaes

In true pop-icon fashion, Conan Gray’s grand entrance onto the SOMA Mainstage on 10/22/22 was met with piercing screams and awe-struck faces. Adorned with platform high-heeled boots, a stunning bedazzled vest, lace gloves that were to die for, and a low-waisted, wide-leg pant moment, Gray took to the stage with confidence, grace, and ever-so-captivating energy.

He kicked it off with “Disaster” from his second studio album Superache. A deviation from the rest of the album, Disaster features “[a] really fast [tempo]…, hard synths and drums, and this really quick dialogue” to encapsulate the feeling of “trying to decipher whether or not [someone likes] you”. The heart-racing, gut-wrenching energy of the song paired with Conan’s commanding stage presence set the tone for the show.

The slow burn of Gray’s signature sound gives an edge to even the more melancholy tracks, such as “Astronomy”, “Footnote”, and “Movie”. Each of these songs starts as a ballad, with a gentle guitar strum accompanied by slower and more sustained vocals. As the songs build, different harmonies are layered to create an encapsulating sound.

It was truly inspiring to see Conan reach such success, as he dropped out of his dream school, UCLA, to pursue music full-time. I alongside his fans am excited to see what he achieves in the future.