Michelle Shiers on October 13th, 2016

0

Ry Cuming has come a long way since he was gigging at the Hotel Café and doing support slots on Sunday nights at the Satellite. Now, as RY X the Australian singer-songwriter is touring behind his acclaimed new album “Dawn,” and, as has typified his recent exploits, playing non-traditional venues.

Tuesday’s Los Angeles date, the opener of his tour, was at the former Cathedral of St. Vibiana, now known as Vibiana, the 140-year-old structure that once was the home of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The church was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, saved from the wrecking ball by preservationists and eventually rehabbed and reopened as an event space/performing arts venue, although not many concerts have been held there. (Corinne Bailey Rae’s in 2010 was memorable; Amon Tobin performed there last year.)

Under dim, moody lighting, Airspace opened before giving way to a group of interpretive dancers. It was one dancer for a while and then others emerged from seats in the audience to join. It was bizarre, but compelling. Ry-X, a former pro surfer, then took the stage and sounded typically ethereal and although there were seats in the venue, the crowd didn’t bother, standing most of the time.

Photos by Michelle Shiers courtesy of Spaceland Presents.