REVIEW: Angus & Julia Stone Bring ‘Karaoke Bar’ to LA
WRITTEN BY FAITH LUEVANOS
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Photo by @smcdphotography
When you hear the name Angus & Julia Stone, you may think of their hit 2010 single, “Big Jet Plane,” or maybe you think of their single featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1, “Love Will Take You.” What you may not know is that since their debut release in 2007, the Stone siblings have released a project almost every year. Their momentum has never stopped, and their passion for performing did not falter at their show at The Masonic Lodge in LA on September 15.
I attended one of their three shows at the lodge and it felt like an absolute dream. The Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge is one of my favorite venues because of its intimacy and rich Hollywood history that surrounds you during the performance. The dark silhouette of the California palms serves as the backdrop to the venue, where the cemetery’s peacocks roam the grounds and greet you as you enter, a mixture of moody and elegant.
As I found my way into the balcony viewing area, it really gave me a chance to observe the size of the crowd and the loud buzz of people who were eagerly awaiting the lights to dim. Once they finally did, the crowd erupted into a cheer as the opener for the evening, Ella Hunt, walked out. Her ethereal vocals transcended throughout the room, and I was so happy that I made it to the show in time to witness her performance. Raw, strong and earnest were the words that rang through my head as I watched her sing and laugh with the crowd. There was no doubt in my mind that regardless of the size of the venue, Hunt had the ability to turn a decently large space into an intimate one, leaving everyone in the audience with a sort of tunnel vision that was focused on her.
After Hunt’s set, the audience grabbed their next round of beverages and chatted amongst themselves until the lights dimmed once again. As the full 6-piece band made their way onto the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers and hollers in anticipation for the evening that lay ahead of them. The band played the opening chords of “Losing You,” the opening of their 2024 album, Cape Forestier.
The show progressed through dazzling lighting transitions, a sign that everything from the Stone siblings’ set was carefully curated and perfected just in time for their three-night residency at the Lodge. As their song “Nothing Else” began from their 2017 album Snow, Julia shared that they would be playing some older and newer songs that evening, offering something for everyone, no matter what era it was in.
As we entered the third song, “Yellow Brick Road,” a deep cut in terms of Angus & Julia Stone performances, the duo shared that Angus wrote the track while living in California. They were fueled by the spirit of the music they had grown up with and the idea of living in the moment and enjoying life for what it is. At this point, we had watched Julia play the guitar, a harmonica, a trumpet, and a tambourine, and I was so impressed with her knack for rhythm and affinity for multiple instruments in one performance.
There was something special in the air of the Masonic Lodge that evening as fans sang along to songs new and old. This crowd felt like a time capsule, not only from the sound of the music, but due to the sheer etiquette of the crowd. There was no pushing to the front, no disregard for the person next to you; there was care and compassion for the people around you who shared a common thread: the music of Angus & Julia Stone.
In a sentimental moment, Angus took some time to give credit to his sister Julia for being a “beautiful human being” as he expressed his gratitude to her. They’ve built an incredible life together over the years and have shared so many experiences together. It’s one thing to go through this as best friends, but they connect with each other on a deeper level as siblings. As an older sister to a younger brother, I felt a strong connection to the duo. All you want is the best for each other. You are each other’s biggest fans. Angus & Julia Stone left a mark on my heart and I’m looking forward to the next time I get to see them again.
