Kelsey Heng on February 19th, 2018

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With the release of their sophomore album “28 Days in the Valley” about three weeks away, L.A. rockers Dorothy launched full-bore into their “Freedom Tour” last week, headlining an explosive night at the Fonda Theatre on Friday.

It was apparent quickly that this was not the Dorothy of 2016.

The band’s namesake and siren, Dorothy Martin, took the stage to warm hues and the smell of burning incense. Gone are the days of Martin belting out hard-rockers in a fur coat, ripped rock T-shirt and crimson lipstick — now she favors a Steven Tyler-esque flowy kimono and leather bell bottom combination. However, the real change is found in the material, which replaces the fist-clenching raise hell mantras with a pleading tone for love and political awareness.

Not that Dorothy were any tamer. Opening the night with “White Butterfly,” the band set the tone loud and fast. Stomping through hits like “Whiskey Fever” and “Raise Hell,” Martin’s sexy confidence and wall-shaking vocals enraptured the audience. Even younger front row fans with parents beside and merch hats proud were glued to the songstress’ every move.

Before starting in on “Down to the Bottom,” Martin took a moment to preach to the crowd. Her question, “What do we need?” received a fierce and determined response of “LOVE” loud enough that the Valley could hear. As Martin digressed it became evident the new music is drenched with the goal to awaken senses, not just ears. “Wake the fuck up before it’s too late,” she preached. “We live in a spiritually sick world.”

What’s more rock ’n’ roll than absolving fear and screaming for culture-changing action? Martin’s onstage confession to having watched Woodstock footage on repeat made the go-to Janis Joplin comparison even that much more visible, and the ’70s-styled songs with a strong message extra fitting.

Back by a new band of guitarists Nick Maybury and Leroy Wulfmeier, bassist Eliot Lorango and drummer Jason Ganberg, Dorothy performed “Who Do You Love”, “Black Tar and Nicotine”, “Flawless” and “Freedom” from the new album.

LA-based 222 and True Violet were the local acts featured on the bill as openers.

Photos by Kelsey Heng