Le Youth’s About Us tour lights up cities all over the US. It left Spin Nightclub in San Diego shining brighter than a disco ball over Halloween weekend.
Over the past year, Le Youth has been pouring his heart and soul into a tour that has left fans utterly captivated. His About Us tour, a concept born from the profound beauty of human connection, has evolved into one of his most genuine and melodically mesmerizing albums. As a seasoned veteran of This Never Happened and the founder of PRGRSSN Records, Le Youth has always expressed a deep affection for his fans, referring to them as friends rather than followers. This heartfelt sentiment has resonated powerfully throughout the tour, creating an atmosphere of authentic connection and shared experience.
The About Us tour was divided into two parts, with the first leg beginning in February and spanning from Calgary all the way down to Nashville. Each stop had eager fans ready to belt out the singles he had released (and discover those unreleased) in such an inclusive, special way before About Us finally came out in September. The second leg began the same month and will continue until mid-December, with the last stop reaching the sunny beaches of Hawaii.
I had the pleasure of experiencing the magic that About Us exudes live as the tour reached the outskirts of downtown San Diego. Nestled in the Midway District lies a small space called Spin Nightclub that provided the most intimate, perfect atmosphere for a Le Youth show. I geared up in my best Halloween attire and made the trek down the coast with anticipation running through my veins. I knew this night was about to be sprinkled with magic, and boy, was it ever.
As I stepped into the crowd of costumes, I became overwhelmed with the feeling that friends surrounded me.
I’m no stranger to going to shows alone, and that can sometimes come with inevitable feelings of loneliness. One of the first things I noticed, however, as I made my way into the crowd was just how connected I felt to everyone else. Whether it be the Le Youth fans or the laidback San Diego environment, something in the air felt sweet and inviting. Everyone was laughing and exchanging glances, all feeling the electricity between each other.
People got creative with their Halloween costumes. There were six-foot-five men dressed as ballerinas doing pirouettes, and a group of lifeguards strapped with floaties bopping to and fro. Everything felt silly, playful, and light. As Nils Hoffman made his way to the stage to get things going with “Otherside,” the crowd roared with energy. The only downfall of the entire night was how difficult it was fully enjoy Nils with everyone around vibing with each other. Even still, I felt the positive vibrations that radiated through the entire space, so I just tuned them out and floated away to the melodic bliss.
The dancefloor flooded with people as he closed his set with “Breathing,” one of my favorite songs of all time, and I could feel the excitement in the air getting thicker. Then, Le Youth crept out from behind the red curtains in an oversized Nirvana shirt and Michael Myers mask. His opening song, “Thriller,” felt perfect for an explosion of delightful energy. The Halloween classic swiftly led into “I Will Leave a Light On.”
The entire album enveloped the entire room, and the magic felt is hard to describe. It felt like a room full of friends, and about halfway through the set, Le Youth united the crowd in one collective embrace. I will forever hold this night with such fondness and nostalgia, not only for the beautiful music but for the connection I felt to everyone around me. Thank you, Le Youth, for cultivating such a space with your craft.
