“Welcome to the Wiltern!” was the first greeting I heard upon arriving at The Belasco. Just kidding. From undersold arena tours to waves of downgraded shows, artists have been struggling to balance intimacy with fans and limited budgets—especially in major cities like Los Angeles, where the entertainment scene is both saturated and expensive. And yet, Australian psychedelic rock band POND was completely unfazed by the change, delivering an electric performance from start to finish that left me thinking half the time, “He’s still got some juice, huh?”

Playing at a smaller venue meant only one thing for singer and performer Nick Allbrook—better interactions with fans. While his talking was kept to a minimum, Nick communicated through his movements, inviting the audience to dance, lose themselves in the music, and fall into a trance induced by the magnetic psychedelic riffs and synths. The only time he truly addressed the crowd was to encourage them to move their “bums without shame.”

And Nick had no trouble moving his. The upbeat, almost pop-driven moments gave Tame Impala’s former bassist the freedom to dance around, delivering a full-on performance with his mic and stand. From swinging the mic in circles to kicking the stand up, he rocked out with those two ferociously whenever he wasn’t on the guitar. 

Drawing from their extensive career spanning ten full-length albums, POND delivered a mix of long-time hits from their 2013 album Hobo Rocket (“Aloneaflameaflower,” “Giant Tortoise”) and more recent projects, including fan-favorite tracks from 2021’s The Weather (“Sweep Me Off My Feet,” “Fire In The Water,” “Paint Me Silver”). The well-balanced setlist proved to be an excellent choice, showcasing the band’s musical evolution over the 16 years since their inception. 

But you didn’t need to have followed them from the beginning to lose yourself in their entrancing melodies, powerful vocals, and electrifying riffs. The crowd was constantly clapping (even without prompting) or throwing up the horns during the heavier songs. The energy was palpable, as if the entire room was caught in a shared psychedelic groove.

You know you’ve got the right crowd when they can carry you effortlessly through the Belasco’s pit. Crowd surfing—often a dream for many singers—felt completely natural for the Australian frontman. I couldn’t help but envy all the lucky fans who got to shake his hand, both mid-flight and at the front of the stage.

There is, however, one thing I was fortunate enough to experience: standing at the front of the stage, camera in hand, gave me a perspective I’ll never forget. The performance felt so personal and immersive that I often found myself lowering my camera just to shyly dance along, soaking in the moment. Every riff, every melody, every movement felt like it was meant just for us. The way they commanded the stage made it impossible not to pause, vibe to their songs, and absorb the raw, magnetic energy they delivered with every note.

It was a reminder of the magic of live music—the connection, the energy, and the moments that stay with you long after the final note. I can’t wait to see them again. Thanks, POND!

 - Lio