Lead singer of 20K Rio, Tommy Lloyd, returned to the Viper Room in September with a performance that cemented just how much he’s grown — not just as an artist, but as a force shaping the next wave of rock.
From the moment he stepped onstage, Lloyd embodied the world he’s creating: leather, fringe, chains and powerful dark energy. His voice, which blends beautifully with distorted guitar, creates a sound that only builds on that aesthetic.
His EP had been out for barely a month at the time of the show, but he performed each track with the precision and emotion of someone who’s lived inside those songs for years. Hearing the project live brought an authenticity to it that blew the recorded tracks out of the water.
Watching him perform his standout song “The Flood” felt like being lifted out of the room and dropped into another dimension. The way he controlled his tones and melodies created a sound that felt unique to Lloyd. It’s hard to imagine anyone else re-creating it.
Throughout the set, Lloyd kept the room energized — and his band matched his beat. The onstage chemistry between him and his supporting guitarist was unmistakable. They boosted each other’s performances in a way that felt like a perfect fit.
Mid-show, Lloyd broke into his signature guitar riff from “Honey I Don’t Wanna Know,” but this time he played it behind his head without missing a single note. Everyone around me collectively dropped their jaws — and the night only got better from there.
One of the most memorable moments came at the end of the set. Lloyd closed his show with a cover of “Crazy Train” in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who had died just months earlier.
Covering Osbourne is no small task, but Lloyd made it feel effortless and authentic. Every scream, riff and note carried weight and power. It felt like a genuine thank-you to an icon Lloyd has long admired.
I walked away feeling alive, much like everyone else in the crowd.
Having covered Tommy earlier this year, I’ve watched him evolve from an emerging dark artist into a full-blown rock star. This show was one of those moments where a room of people walked away with a collective understanding that they had just witnessed the start of something special.
