Marina Bravo
Arts Editor
Downtown Pomona rocked out on Saturday with energetic and versatile bands playing at The Haven. Bands showcased their diverse genre styles with each band that championed the stage.
The doors opened at 7:30 p.m. and Just Let Me Go took the stage. The three-piece band started with a dream-like sound and ripped through their set with frying vocals. Vocalist and guitarist Aleksi Noe Madriga, vocalist and bassist Adaline, and drummer Cesar from El Centro, California immersed the audience.
The bands that followed were Denial Party, Cataracts, Loomer, Yeah We Kissed, Perfidia, A Perfect Portrait and Paris Needs You.
Members of the noise-pop band from Riverside, Yeah We Kissed, Bella Albarran, Amory Baez, Jack Hardy and Bird organized the event.
“I organized the show for my girlfriend’s birthday,” Bird said. “She loves all kinds of different music and I asked a bunch of people if they would play and they showed up. It was a strange night. Shoegaze-metal core-screamoviolence one strange night for sure.”
The band identifies themselves as a noise-pop band, which is a sub genre that ties alternative rock and indie together. Their unique sound entranced the audience.
They opened up about how, as a band, they enjoy making the music they do and how important it is to have spaces for peace through music and artistic expression. The Haven is a place that allows them to do that.
“The Haven is such a cool venue and the people working there are just the nicest and go above and beyond for the art,” Albarran said. “My main reason is because my favorite bands play here and I wanted to share a stage with them. I also wanted my name to go on the wall.”
Each band brought their own sounds and played a set of around seven songs. Some bands even traveled out of state for this event.
Loomer is a shoegaze noise band from Phoenix that took the stage and energized the audience. The four-piece band not only brought their energy but also brought out their passion. Vocalist Scarlet Fife shared how Yeah We Kissed invited them to come down to Pomona and they couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
DIY or Do It Yourself is a staple in this community of alternative music. It is their religion. The Haven, standing as a DIY venue, opens doors for so many young artists to explore this and it was so relevant during the show.
“People see DIY as people throwing down, getting violent, getting crazy, but that’s really not it,” Fife said. “I think it’s something beautiful because a lot of times we don’t realize how much music brings us together.”
Fife mentioned that no matter if someone comes from a rich family or a middle-class family, DIY and alternative music have a place for anyone.
The Haven did just that with this show. Individuals, young and old, were able to celebrate the local art and share a moment together. This is a common theme that happens at every show at the venue.
“Music is the peace the world needs,” Hardy said. “DIY and DIY venues gives us the playground and the freedom to do whatever the fuck we want. Fuck the mainstream and fuck money-hungry labels.”
The night was loud and fun as the music never stopped. The Haven, full of people moshing and singing along to their favorites and new favorites. The energy was never lost from either the performers or the crowd.
“It really comes down to when you’re able to be you in a room with all these different people,” Fife said. “You realize we’re all fucking different and yet the same. It’s really just like a breath of fresh air. Like I feel accepted. I feel safe.”
Marina Bravo can be reached at marina.bravo@laverne.edu.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
Vicente Rodriguez is a senior photography major with a marketing minor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. He has previously served as photography editor of the Campus Times and a staff photographer for La Verne Magazine.
