Princess Goes gets spacy synthy at San Diego’s Music Box

It’s Friday night at the Music Box in downtown San Diego… the Friday following New Year’s Eve (a mere five days prior), meaning most inhabitants of this coastal town are in hibernation mode until further notice. But not the synth-loving, darkwave fans of Princess Goes — a sonically progressive band led by renowned actor Michael C. Hall (of shows Dexter, Six Feet Under, etc.).

Seeing a new side to talented players is memorable; seeing men succeed in a wholly new industry is monumental.

Hall might have had some singing parts among his many acting roles of the years, but none like leading a live band at venues night after night. It’s truly amazing to see someone so apt for stardom! Yet, Hall is only one segment of three that makes up the promising project of Princess Goes: keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen (who’s played with the likes of Blondie and Cyndie Lauper) joins drummer Peter Yanowitz (of the The Wallflowers, Morningwood) to back the screen-famous frontman.

On this particular night, Princess Goes was supported by local experimental artist Jackie Mendoza, who brought a performance loaded with psychedelia. From start to finish (infusing Spanish with English), the up-and-coming Mendoza captivated the first through the door. By the time, Mendoza finished her laidback, yet engaging set, the venue was full-up with fans ready for more.

You can tell that this band has a cult following…

Lining the front barrier were fans decked out head to toe in Princess Goes gear and, when the lights went out, the room erupted in cheers — especially since Hall was the first to take the stage. Playing songs off the band’s latest album, Come Of Age, the showmanship of Hall enthralled audience members, backlit with red and blue mood lighting. As Katz-Bohen and Yanowitz joined Hall to launch into “Let It Go”, you could feel the energy shift; the place started poppin’! People were dancing and singing, overjoyed to be able to be catch this band in action in such an intimate setting.

Princess Goes continued to entrance concert-goers to the very end, with Hall mixing emotive eruptions between apathetic spells as he sang. It was devilishly dark, ominous, yet anthemic — a perfect balance. Catch Princess Goes in a town near you to experience this for yourself!

Photography by Kristy Rose

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