The night before Halloween: Kero Kero Bonito

Lead singer of the band Kero Kero Bonito, Sarah Bonito, who was supposedly found by the band on Reddit, took the stage the night before Halloween at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, California. The stage’s backdrop had a large tapestry of the band’s newest album cover, Time ’n’ Place (2018). The mesmerizing psychedelic colors manifested within the artwork of the album cover set the mystic mood for the stage that night.

KKB’s music is a unique blend of dream pop with an alternative sound. This style, paired with Sarah’s unique vocals and Japanese lyrics, creates their one of a kind sound. When walking to class listening to KKB I feel like I’m the main character in a cartoon just floating along.  Their ability to transcend one from reality is one of the prime features of the band which gave the October 30th show its impeccable energy.

The band started with “Battle Lines” followed by “Lipslap” and it got the crowd moving, creating a small most pit in the center. I’m going to be quite honest, I was genuinely surprised by how many straight men enjoy Kero Kero Bonito’s music. In the words of Kevin Abstract, I thought this was a gays and girls only event? 

Jokes aside, I really enjoyed the diversity in faces and the auras present in the crowd. I found it cool how it challenged my stereotypes interconnected with music and caused me to rethink my assumptions. I think time from time, all of us can do that, and not just with music. 

After those two songs, the staple iOS alarm clock sound begins to ring, a sound holding a negative association for many, clearly expressed by the audible groans from the crowd, but the alarm clock noise marks the beginning of one of KKB’s most popular songs “Waking Up.” The enthusiastic flare exuded from the song filled the Regency to the brim with happy feelings and good vibrations, the night’s path was set to begin. 

“Flamingo” starts to play and Sarah brings out a plush pink flamingo onto the stage and dances around with it while she sings, sending a wave of playfulness into the crowd. So, when “Only Acting” comes next, the crowd sings along loudly, matching KKB’s high energy.

Sarah Bonito holding a flamingo high in the air while singing “Flamingo”

During the middle of the show, all the lights turn off, and Sarah asks the crowd to take out the flashlights on their phones. This is when they begin playing “Dear Future Self,” a personal favorite of mine. The energy in the venue was so peaceful, Sarah’s singing manifesting optimism within the minds of many in the crowd. The song’s beauty is only further exemplified when performed live. 

Quickly capturing the already present tranquility within the crowd, the band begins the mellow yet still radiant “Make Believe” which helps bring the crowd back from the trance of the last song. The show continues on and I want to give props to Kero Kero Bonito’s ability to ride energy waves and create an atmosphere no audience can resist.

The band was brought back onto the stage after roars from the audience asking for an encore and they perform “Trampoline,” a favorite of many due to its beautifully hopeful lyrics. The band then covers Papa Roach’s “Last Resort,” an extremely pleasant delight, and left me wanting more screamo lyricism from Sarah. Kero Kero Bonito truly knows how to put on a show and I recommend seeing the band next time they come to your town, you do not want to miss out–trust me.

Article by Sunny Sangha