Staff Editor on April 25th, 2022

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The Out of Mind Festival provided a Saturday night at the Echo that celebrated the LGBTQ community of Los Angeles. As Dani Oliva, of the nonprofit Motion Creative (who co-promoted with Gay Asstrology and Queer Field Day), told Buzz Bands LA:  “Motion Creative promotes the interest of artists, songwriters and producers who are from underserved communities … This is our third Out of Mind. We’ve got LGBTQ performers and vendors. And the purpose of this festival is to bring the community together.”

Everybody certainly seemed on the same page for a kinetic set from Beginners, whose electro-pop ignited a packed house while band leader Samantha Barbera ducked multiple drum sticks, counterfeit currency and beach balls. Energized by doing their first live show since 2020, Beginners’ set also featured Barbera foraying into the audience. Their song “Broke” hit the mark with the lyrics: “I guess it’s better to be broke than lonely.” And as she said at the finish: “There’s been a lot of stage shrapnel. Don’t sue me.”

Ramonda Hammer had singer-guitarist Devin Davis belting out the lyrics while bassist Andy Hengl and guitarist Justin Geter ripped their instruments and contorted their bodies. Their eight-song set was interrupted when Hengl’s bass strap broke right down the middle, with Davis wondering out loud as a replacement set was provided by Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, “Who breaks their guitar strap in two in the middle of a set?”

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts was having the time of their lives, with singer-guitarist Sarah Green pointing out fans in the audience throughout the set. “Even though this isn’t our first show back since the pandemic,” Green said after the set, “it felt like a welcome home in a way, because we haven’t played the Echo since before all of this happened. It was just so nice to see so many familiar faces. And it was just really fucking fun.”

VAVÁ played a mostly solo set, mentioning that she had indulged in one too many tequilas. With that, there was a request for the audience to help sound check the guitar and vocals. For the final two songs, Vanessa Wheeler was joined onstage by collaborator Jackie Lipson. One song they sang was “Everything Sucks,” which was about the two of them being stuck in a hotel room in Toronto when COVID hit and everything was shut down.

Paper Citizen’s Claire Gohst did double duty on the night, fronting both her own band and backing festival opener Stevi Daft. Her song “Wandering Gohst” had special meaning as it was a song about her move from Singapore to Los Angeles. Opening up the night was Stevi Daft who sparkled onstage and rocked in a manner that would make Bonnie Raitt proud.

The night wasn’t just about the music. The night ended with a Gay Asstrology dance party. Also, in between sets, fun games were held. One of the most competitive games of the night was Musical Queer (a twist on Musical Chairs). Photos of well-known queer artists were placed on the Echo’s floor. As the photos were removed, the competitive nature of those involved only grew.

Photos and recap by Notes From Vivace