Boy Harsher, Eartheater, and LUCY (Cooper B. Handy) at The Glass House in Pomona, CA
Eartheater at The Glass Ceiling in Pomona, CA (@jessarcand)
It’s challenging to avoid hearing the murmurs around The Glass House in Pomona, CA. It’s an iconic venue that is known for hosting legendary acts in a relatively intimate setting and it’s safe to say the talk around town was last Wednesday’s bill: Boy Harsher, Eartheater, and LUCY (Cooper B. Handy).
Even the acts themselves took to the stage to share their disbelief that they were all playing the same venue together, showing a level of genuine admiration for each other. Boy Harsher and Eartheater were on Coachella duty the week before. Multiple attendees voiced how excited they were for the show after witnessing Eartheater’s set where she surprised the crowd with an on-stage guest dressed in a mask as an ode to Aphex Twin’s Windowlicker music video, so the bar was high to say the least: the anticipation was building as to what she would do next. LUCY, the moniker of Cooper B. Handy, flew on our radar when he was announced in the first wave lineup of Sled Island Music and Arts Festival, in addition to his collaboration with Boy Harsher on the danceable track “Autonomy” from the Boy Harsher film The Runner that has been a mainstay on our playlists since its release.
LUCY took the stage first and his fancy footwork kept listener’s smiling from ear to ear. There is something effortlessly cool about LUCY’s discography, whether it’s a track that samples “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns n’ Roses or his cover of “Beauty and the Beast” as he mutters “Pomona…Pomona…Pomona” on repeat. Despite Tik Tok’s consistent confusion that surrounds LUCY (Is his music too DIY? Is it good? Do we understand it? Does any of that even matter?), what’s clear is that LUCY’s charisma on stage and his ability to have fun rubs off on those who are within ears reach.
LUCY at The Glass House (@jessarcand)
Eartheater, also known as Trinity Vigorsky, followed in LUCY’s footsteps, but the air was different in a way that felt unique in comparison to a typical Eartheater show. It was more stripped down and casual. It was as if Trinity wanted to use this time to genuinely connect to her fans, after an extravagant weekend performance, for those that drove two hours outside of Los Angeles to catch her set. Trinity also has a way of playing for the camera. She knows how to captivate an audience and create space for memorable moments whether that’s for a photographer who’s looking for the perfect shot or an attendee with a photographic memory. Despite the more casual nature of the set, Eartheater never compromises on setting an ethereal tone for the show. Her vocal range flutters beautifully as she set up new songs from her latest album Powders, while still paying homage to the classics such as “Spill the Milk”. Her set ended with a bang when she belted out “Supersoaker”, leading her to jump off the stage and lean backwards over the barricade as she was caressed by the fans who sang along to every word. Our only selfish disappointment is that Eartheater did not play her newest System of a Down cover “Chop Suey”, but ultimately it’s because we could live an eternity at an Eartheater show if given the choice.
After Eartheater, Boy Harsher creeped their way onto the stage backdropped by rapid flashing lights as the synths in “Keep Driving” swelled through the speakers. The duo turned the Glass Ceiling into a full sweaty rave, never losing momentum as Jae Matthews bounced around the stage. After a series of discography favourites like “Westeners” and “Morphine”, they welcomed LUCY to the stage to perform “Autonomy”. It was another defining moment of the night that invited us into the world of these acts who share a special bond. It radiated feelings of friendship on stage and off the stage as attendees danced and sang together at the Glass House, while the band’s teams cheered each other on throughout the sets. For many, this show was a breath of fresh air in between weekends at Coachella. It’s for those who were looking to keep the party going before heading off to their home base or setting out for another weekend of a hot festival. For others, it was a way to avoid the Coachella madness and see the more underground acts on the lineup in a setting where bands like Boy Harsher stay true to their DIY ethos. No matter how big the band may become, they prioritize their community.
Boy Harsher at The Glass House (@jessarcand)