"Welcome to the Palladium!" was the first greeting I heard upon arriving at The Wiltern—a funny reminder that this was Ginger Root’s very first downgraded show. Even so, the creative announcement had been so well-received by both press and fans for its honesty and transparency. Los Angeles was Ginger Root’s last stop on their SHINBANGUMI (2024, Ghostly International) tour and, most surprisingly, it was also (sort of) a hometown show for SoCal native Cameron Lew, Ginger Root’s frontman and leader.

The Wiltern’s setting made the event feel even more intimate, with fans filling the entire general admission floor section of the once movie theater, now transformed into a stage for Ginger Root’s short film screenings, synched with live Aggressive Elevator Soul™ music. Inside the venue, the closer you got to the doors, the more impressive the merch line became. The majority of the merch was already sold out before Ginger Root even began their set. This rare phenomenon—especially for an artist not yet close to arena-level fame—is a testament to the aesthetic and universe created by Lew, which draws heavy inspiration from '80s Japanese City Pop culture.

The opening act, Amaiwana (アマイワナ), a Japanese singer-songwriter from Kyoto, has been referred to as the "retro pop princess," creating what she calls "Japanese dream punk" with influences from Shibuya-kei, new wave, and techno pop. She proved to be an excellent choice as the opening act for Ginger Root, bringing dazzling and bubbly energy to the venue and serving as a perfect introduction to Japanese music. The crowd seemed to be a mix of anime and Japan lovers, along with Millennial fans who appreciate nostalgic and lo-fi aesthetics.

When Lew finally arrived on stage, greeted by the enthusiastic applause of the fans, the setup featured stacked old TVs and a jukebox as part of the decor. Lew was wearing a beige tuxedo, while the drummer Matt Carney rocked his cowboy hat, and Dylan Hovis on the bass was dressed in a classic vintage style—an homage to old-fashioned jazz clubs with an added touch of anachronism, serving as a subtle nod to Ginger Root’s cultural roots.

The three-piece band opened with an intro video, followed by their track "Better Than Monday." Clips and music videos have always been integral to Ginger Root’s identity, with Lew also serving as a graphic designer and video editor. These videos only enhance the entertainment value, bringing them much closer to a both visually and musically more immersive experience for the audience, especially when enjoyed with The Wiltern’s amazing popcorn.

Two original and creative elements really captured my attention: the second "mic" Lew was using and the role of the cameraman. In addition to a clean and transparent, standard live microphone, Lew also used a red vintage telephone handset, mounted on a mic stand. Not only was this setup so cool and aesthetically pleasing, but I was also amazed by the technical complexity of amplifying sound from an actual old telephone handset to a medium-sized concert level. This innovative touch is hardly surprising to me, considering Lew's background as an audio engineer. His voice coming through the handset sounded exactly as one would expect from such a device—highly compressed and slightly saturated—adding a rich texture and unique tone to the overall performance.

The second intriguing element was the role of the cameraman, who did an exceptional job of capturing the band’s energy in the most uncommon way. The videos were both projected on the big screen and broadcast live on the old TVs, maintaining the aesthetic of vintage shows—another nod to Ginger Root’s fictional world. To achieve this effect, the cameraman continuously captured dramatic shots of the band members, using excessive zooms and rapid shifts between them. He was almost dancing, swerving around and moving in sync with the music. He was not just a cameraman; he was the fourth member of the band. This added so much to the synths riffs and the groovy, yet dizzying music Ginger Root was delivering live. 

The disorienting effect from both the music and visuals complemented Lew’s on-stage humor—a socially awkward Asian guy, quirky and random in the most entertaining way. He encouraged the crowd multiple times to participate in the show, prompting loud screams (“Everybody SCREEEEAM!”), leading a Peanut Butter Jelly Time sing-along, and even asking the audience to start a mosh pit. At The Wiltern. To Japanese city pop.

In between songs, the cameraman had fun filming the audience, capturing everything from a fan holding a cardboard sign congratulating the band on their first downgraded show to a guy wearing a banana costume. Towards the end of their set, Lew even gave a short speech in Mandarin to what appeared to be his mom, or grandma (?), who was sitting and relaxing in the VIP section. Lew invited everyone to sing along with the “Only you's and “Come on baby's from both sides of the venue. The randomness of each interaction, paired with the amazing music, were truly refreshing and fun, making this show an unforgettable moment for everyone in the crowd. Thank you, Ginger Root!

- Lio 

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