By Mingyu Wu
Pictured: phem (Nvr Gve Up/Virgin Records) | Instagram: @phem |“Los Angeles-based phem is in simplest terms an enigma. The writer, vocalist and producer identifies with no sexuality and carries a residual Catholic school guilt instantiated in the wounded tension and torrid conflict that haunts her music. Her opaque missives capture the chaos of the years before releasing songs that would end up accruing millions of plays, trying to find a working artistic compass.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, LA
Live from the The Roxy Theatre, PHEELINGS FEST, a virtually streamed concert curated by alternative/indie artist phem, was enigmatic, explosive, and an overall insane out-of-body experience.
But a little bit more about phem herself, this icon co-wrote songs for G-Eazy, Machine Gun
Kelly, Lil Trac, John Feldmann and Iann Dior. Coming from an arduous artistic journey, phem understands the struggles of up and coming artists. “She has toured the world supporting artists such as Lil Xan and Grandson” (Virgin Records). Her support and encouragement for her fellow artists really goes to show her beliefs in self-discovery and giving someone a chance.
And PHEELINGS FEST is all about giving others and yourself a platform.
On March 25th, audience members attending the live concert were in for a treat. Especially for people who never ventured into the darker sides of indie, alternative, and electronic music. And even for people like me who enjoy mainstream pop and the occasional indie, PHEELINGS FEST will make you go, “Ok, but this slaps.”
The opening act, Alice Longyu Gao, delivered a chaotic, and at times confusing yet entertaining, performance. Electronic pop DJ meets Yoko Ono and SOPHIE, Alice’s set was spontaneous and intense.
Pictured: Alice Longyu Gao | Instagram: @alicealice916
“Alice Longyu Gao is a resilient DJ, songwriter and performance art practitioner girl. Longyu means “dragon and universe,” her last name Gao means “Magnificent.” Originally from China, Gao moved to New York and took on many side hustles, including creating runway music for Juicy Couture, going back to school, and ultimately going her own path."
Alice went all out. She half sang, half screamed, while DJing and dancing. A bit like Yoko Ono meets SOPHIE (rest in peace). Nothing was off limits during this set. Her somewhat-planned and somewhat-improvised performance made the comment section roar.
Her favorite word of the night has got to be motherfucker. And speaking of mothers, Alice thanked her mom and phem for supporting her wild journey as an artist.
And after praising mom, Alice went back on track and performed songs like “Dumb Bitch Juice,” and many unrealeased or experimental records.
Quote of the set: “I don’t need a husband. I don’t need a wife. I need all you guy
Alice commands the crowd to stream her music and add her songs in your playlists.
Oh and, “Don’t call [her] an underrated pop star.”
Pictured: WRENN (left) and her band. | Instagram: @wrenn
“Rising Los Angeles artist WRENN has seen viral success around her newest single “Hailey,” is set to become one of the biggest songs of 2021. With over 5 million streams on Spotify, 35 million views on TikTok, and early radio support from iHeart and Alt Nation WRENN is making waves. The young act shows no signs of slowing down with a new single on the horizon, coming this April.”
WRENN’s voice is just incredible. Real smooth and sultry. Her lead single “Hailey” tells a heartbreaking story of jealousy and pain.
WRENN’s strong vocal control and guitar adds so much depth to her story. No choice but to stan.
Her discography consists more of calm, indie-sounding, and definitely more storytelling in lyrics. Except “Psychosexual.” Her indie vocals fits in great with the throwback electric guitar/base vibes. A must listen.
Sooo, does anyone know “Why’d it have to be Hailey? Out of everyone, everyone else?”
Quote of the set: “Don't you get tired of always playing the victim and running your mouth?”
What a punch.
Pictured: Royals and the Serpent (Atlantic Records) | Instagram: @royalsandtheserpent
“In each piece of music she shares with the world, Los Angeles-based artist Royal & the Serpent reveals the wild duality at the heart of her artistry. A Gemini to the core, she’s passionate but pensive, sensitive but self-possessed, enigmatic but an open book when it comes to exposing what’s inside her mind. With the arrival of get a grip—her debut project for Atlantic Records—the singer/songwriter otherwise known as Ryan Santiago speaks to the incredible power of embracing your true nature, in all its outrageous complexity.”
What? You say you haven’t heard of her? Nah, you have.
Royals and the Serpent, also known as Ryan Santiago, opened her set with her smash hit “Overwhelmed.” The concert chat definitely started up once more. For me, I didn’t recognize the song until the pre-chorus, and man, the amount of excitement I felt.
Hands down, beside her lyrics and production, the most unique aspect of her is her indescribable and distinct voice. It’s mysterious, soft yet hardcore, frail yet controlled and incredibly powerful. Although I’m not a fan of comparing artists, something about her just screams Ellie Goulding on drugs. In a good way of course.
Ryan’s soft speaking voice intensely contrasts with her dark and heavy songs. Along with “Overwhelmed,” Royals and the Serpent performed songs like “Choke” and “i can’t get high.” Both, needless to say, are massive bangers, with the latter showing off her intense vocals. Her raspy high notes fits the mood precisely.
phem also joined and performed an unreleased track. The two friends bounced back and forth with epileptic lighting filling the room. The unreleased track is fittingly a powerful girl anthem track.
Now, phem is finally bringing in some male energy. Enter Sueco the Child.
Pictured: Sueco the Child (Atlantic Records) | Instagram: @suecothechild
“Long blue hair headbanging, grill blinging, beats buzzing, and guitar humming, Sueco The Child creates off-kilter hip-hop with a punked-out presence and pop disruption. Under a neon glow of genre-less ecstasy affirmed by 100 million streams and tastemaker acclaim, we find the Los Angeles singer, rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist as the ringmaster of a world unto himself on his 2019 Atlantic Records debut. Featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Genius, and more, his massive breakout single “fast” has become a certified viral smash. Buoyed by airy production, cyber siren wails, and a driving beat from the artist himself, the track hinges on one meme-able boast after another as he claims, “Bitch I make beats and bad decisions.”
Sueco has the biggest awkward yet admirable energy I’ve seen tonight. Like just look at that
stance. Icon. His carefree, blunt, and joking personality made him seem really down to earth. Sueco jokes around, saying his instrumental for the night is an audio track on his phone. He seemed so pure.
Then he played his set. Songs like “PRIMADONA” and “fast” had fire beats and intense lyrics. “PRIMADONA” was perfect for Sueco to show his vocal range and control. And truly, the in-betweens were as much of a show as were the songs.
Sueco also brought up a few guest performers and joked around with his drummer. That’s a real personality there.
Quote of the set: “And she only eat Nobu. And she only shop Whole Foods”
Hey, what works works.
Last but not least, the woman of the hour, phem.
Pictured: phem (Nvr Gve Up/Virgin Records) | Instagram: @phem
Once she hit the stage, the comment section filled with green hearts, an emblem used within her fandom.
Performing songs like “american beauty” and “stfu” (an obvious fan favorite), the star and curator of the show delivered her long awaited performance.
Her energy was present. And you can tell she and her team put so much effort in PHEELINGS FEST. A set that works to uplift artists and creative freedom.
What’s not to love?
There’s nothing much left to say other than phem is phem-nomenal.
(Sorry I had to!)
PHEELINGS FEST: Curated by phem and produced by Cisco Adler’s NoCap. Sponsored by AriZona.