Glass Beams shrouds Santa Ana in mystique at Observatory OC

Melbourne’s enigmatic trio Glass Beams brought their distinctive mix of Eastern and Western sounds to the Observatory OC in Santa Ana, California, headlining a show that indulged fans in their psychedelic universe. Touring in support of their latest album Mahal, the three-piece band presented a set that blurred the lines between synth, funk, and instrumentals […]

Echo & The Bunnymen at San Diego’s Observatory Theater

It was a chillier evening than you’d expect for June 10th in San Diego, as I stood shivering outside the Observatory Theater in North Park. Some would object to the chill, but I thought it only fitting for the ever-enticing Echo & The Bunnymen. You see, in my experience, Echo has always been mysterious. And […]

Gogol Bordello explodes with folk punk energy in Santa Ana, CA

This marks the second time I have seen Gogol Bordello live, and — oh my god — I cannot wait to see them again! Gogol Bordello’s concert at The Observatory in Santa Ana on May 20th, 2024, was nothing short of an electrifying spectacle. Known for their high-octane performances and genre-defying sound, the band delivered […]

Mac Sabbath makes mouths water at the Observatory OC

On Friday, March 22nd, Mac Sabbath invaded Orange County, California, headlining a show at The Observatory in Santa Ana. The eccentrically garbed, McDonald’s-inspired band was supported by the Venomous Pinks and O.C. veterans of punk, D.I. Venomous Pinks, the all-female punk band from Arizona, kicked things off with their high energy, getting the crowd in […]

Heaven 17 returns to Santa Ana, CA

Brothers, Sisters, We Need This Heaven 17 thing! 40 years. Yes, I waited 40 years for Heaven 17 to tour America! I had tickets twice previously to see them, only to be sorely disappointed with cancellations. Once they cancelled due to visa issues and once due to COVID. Thanks, COVID! So, when I saw this […]

Back to the 70s with Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg in Santa Ana

Okay, okay, okay… out of all the bands that played The Observatory in Santa Ana on September 11th, 2022, only Marky Ramone’s original band, the Ramones, were from the 70s, but c’mon — D.I. was created in 1982! That’s close enough right?! Las Vegas band JERK! opened up the night and really started the show […]

Sleeping With Sirens fills San Diego’s Observatory North Park

The CTRL+ALT+DLT Tour — including Sleeping With Sirens, Don Broco, Point North and Garzi — played a sold-out show at San Diego’s North Park Observatory. We saw Garzi earlier this year, when he supported Zero 9:36 on tour; he hit a few obstacles on that tour and didn’t have a band, but still performed with […]

Iya Terra plays postponed show at The Observatory, Santa Ana

Iya Terra closed out their nationwide tour, commemorating the release of their 2021 Ease & Grace album. Santa Ana warmly welcomed the hometown band back to The Observatory on July 16th. Fans were left eagerly awaiting the celebration last April, when Iya Terra was forced to postpone five of their southern California shows due to […]

TikTok star Emmy Meli at Santa Ana’s Observatory Theater

Emmy Meli, the Long Beach native and TikTok breakout artist, rocked a hometown show at the Constellation Room at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA, Monday, July 25, 2022. Opening the evening was indie pop artist, Gabe James. James, who recently relocated to Los Angeles by way of Colorado, played a dynamic acoustic set of original […]

A Wilhelm Scream at Santa Ana’s Observatory Theater

There are two rooms at The Observatory in Santa Ana. I was surprised to see the lineup of A Wilhelm Scream, Brendan Kelly of the Lawrence Arms and the opening band, MakeWar, in the smaller of the two rooms on a Saturday night. Okay, so these bands are recognized more on the east coast, since […]

Royal Blood rocks San Diego’s Observatory North Park

Royal Blood sold out San Diego’s Observatory North Park on their North America Tour, with support from Cleopatrick on May 8th. Sometimes less is better and that was definitely the vibe of the night, for both bands were made up of two man bands. The night kicked off with Cleopatrick, made up of childhood friends […]

Passafire & Bikini Trill at The Observatory, Santa Ana

Duddy B. (of Dirty Heads) once called Bikini Trill “The Scooby-Doo Gang of Musicians”. He further elaborated that they travel around in a van, only to emerge in the most colorful cloud of smoke. If you’ve ever seen Bikini Trill, you know how spot-on he is: their vibrance is evident, not only in color, but […]

Hippo Campus quakes San Diego’s North Park Observatory

Hippo Campus lit up the night in San Diego at the Observatory North Park on April 10th, 2022. The line to get in was wrapped around the building for the sold-out show; you could feel the pre-show excitement in the air. Chatters of wishes to hear old favorites and claims of the band’s fame were […]

Pinegrove impresses San Diego’s Observatory North Park

Pinegrove brought their headlining tour to The Observatory, North Park in San Diego recently on April 5th to promote their latest album release, 11:11 (Rough Trade). Alongside the band were the super vibey dudes of Peaer and a completely down-to-earth guy known as ‘Drench Fries’ (a solo project of Levi Natrass). It was a night […]