A three-piece string quartet introduced the band gently as they started with their 2017 record “Jimmy Fallon Big!” from the album “Soft Sounds from Another Planet.” Together, they opened with a whimsical soft sound and warmed up the crowd for a performance of sentimental ballads and energetic pop songs.
A part of LA Phil’s KCRW series, the band spent two nights at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sept. 27 and 28. However, this venue doesn’t typically serve as a home for rock bands. A usual night at the concert hall includes a full orchestra alongside formal attire by concertgoers. Instead, Japanese Breakfast broke unspoken concert hall rules with an exhilarating electric guitar and their fans in Doc Martens and indie rock band tees. It was a commemorative moment for the band and the concert hall’s history.
Japanese Breakfast frontwoman, Michelle Zauner, filled each corner of the room with her impassioned voice and contagious playful energy on stage. During the show, Zauner announced the show is one of her last for a while, as the band will go on hiatus. Whispers scattered throughout the crowd after the unexpected news. She followed by saying she would be moving to South Korea to write a book. This will be Zauner’s second book, following the release of her New York Times best-selling memoir, “Crying in H Mart.”
Before her start with Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner also fronted the emo rock band, Big Little League from Philadelphia. It was one of Zauner’s first musical projects in her post-college time, from 2011 to 2014. The band had its run until Zauner moved back to her hometown when she discovered her mother had pancreatic cancer.
While she cared for her mother, Zauner wrote for Japanese Breakfast. She joined forces with her now husband and guitarist, Peter Bradley and previous bandmate, Deven Craige, on bass, Japanese Breakfast was given life with “Psychopomp” in 2016. The LP is known as Zauner’s grief album, as many of the songs on it are about the loss of her mother. “Is there something you can do with yourself? / As I sift through the debris / While I empty every shelf / And flounder in the muck that I’ll be drowning in so soon” she writes in “In Heaven.” She battled grief throughout the album.
She developed a stronger sound over the next few years, the band’s release of “Jubilee” was about Zauner’s pursuit of happiness after years of mourning. At one of the last shows of the “Jubilee” era tour, Zauner made the show feel like a party even in a room designed for a seated experience. It was impossible to not move to the pop synths in “Be Sweet.” By the end of the night, fans were out of their seats regardless of the constrictive venue.
The inescapable dancing was infectious, led by Zauner as she hopped along the stage with the giant bow attached to her dress which followed her every step. She had an animated stage presence, accompanied by her passionate voice. So much so that she got a bit shaky and mumbly at times. Her vocals were slightly lost as she pushed her cords too hard mid-way in the set while singing “Paprika.” Eventually, she got back into the swing of things for the band’s indie pop song, “Everybody Wants to Love You.”
At times, the band would start a bit rocky by failing to keep time, leaving Zauner to look back at drummer Craig Hendrix.
Zauner also performed a new record, “Orlando” on acoustic guitar shortly after performing “Glider” written for the video game “Sable.” The song has yet to be released, but the live performance was tastefully backed by the string quartet. It is somber and heavily indie folk-inspired.
They came back for an encore and Japanese Breakfast ended the night as rock stars with an emotionally powerful performance. Zauner’s sentimental writing about love and loss paired with intricate guitar solos created a touching journey. “Posing for Cars,” a song of two lovers keeping their relationship alive, issued a heartfelt moment with minutes of Zauner and Bradley exchanging strums on their guitars. Their connectivity on stage made for a sweet moment between the two, especially during “Tactics” as they shared glances while on keyboards facing each other. The chemistry between the two is dear and tender.
Just before the night ended, the choppy synths of “Diving Woman” echoed off of the chamber walls. As it arrived before the chorus, Bradley’s lead guitar prompted a jaw drop. With the help of Criage’s intense bass and Zauner’s slide down her guitar, together they made a thrilling arrangement. The band did the venue service and created a hypnotizing moment, returning to Zauner’s emo roots. The sonorous feeling of the bass within the floor, the pouncing from Hendix’s drums and the waves from the amplified guitar were chilling live music experiences.
As this is one of the last performances for Japanese Breakfast for a while, fans can still get their fix by watching Zauner lick the guitar again and again as she dances.