Magdalena Bay Shines at 9:30 Club
BY LIA PATENTASJust one month ago, Magdalena Bay released their critically-acclaimed sophomore album Imaginal Disk and have since embarked on an almost fully sold out tour supporting it, aptly named the “Imaginal Mystery Tour.” The line to get into the 9:30 Club wrapped around the block and the venue was packed from the front to the back before the opener even took the stage. The last time Mag Bay’s Mica Tenenbaum (vocals) and Matt Lewin (multi-instrumentalist) hit the road on a full tour was in 2022, where I attended the show on a recommendation from a friend and truly fell in love with their music.
Magdalena Bay has a penchant for creating synth pop that’s seemingly from another galaxy and the live performance transports you there. The duo’s impressive 21-song setlist included every song from their new album and started with its opening track, “She Looked Like Me!,” inviting the audience into the digital fantasy that the album creates. The concept of the album translated incredibly well to stage because of the stage design and props that adorned the set. In the mirror-shaped monitor, clips from Mag Bay’s music videos and other visuals support the album’s story and gave Mica something to interact with during the show and reflected the album’s core theme of finding and understanding one’s “true self.” I admire the group’s laser-focus on creating atmospheres that take the audience away from reality both in the sonic aspects of their music as well as in their shows.
The show held a steady energy and focus throughout the set but there was a palpable increase in the audience’s vigor during the three track run of “That’s My Floor,” “Cry For Me,” and “Killshot.” It’s exciting to see a fanbase so acquainted with non-single release songs as well as an enduring enthusiasm for the hits. They closed out the show on a more mellow note, before returning to the stage for a one song encore.
Magdalena Bay’s North American leg of the tour ends in the first week of October and they will continue the tour with a sold out European run beginning in November.
