Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014

One day after the release of her second studio album Zola Jesus premiered the tour in support of Taiga at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco! 

Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

The eclectic artist drew a diverse group to the classy venue ranging from middle aged men sharing stories about the seven times they've seen Zola Jesus, younger flamboyant drunk guys starting fights in the front with uptight ladies and a good mix of grown-up goths.I was glad that I got there a little bit early because the show started 15 minutes before it was scheduled to! A towering 3-D glacier faintly illuminated the full brass section on the right as well as the keyboardist and the drummer on the left as the star of the show took center stage. I knew it was the record release show, however I was a little surprised when I realized that the new album was  being played in it's entirety seeing that it had just been released the day before. Faithful fans showered the top of each song of the set with joyful applause




Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Though small in size, Nika Roza Danilova (better known by her stage name Zola Jesus) carries a monumentous stage presence with a fierce energy and the positive reaction from fans fueled her fire. She transformed into a force larger than life right in front of our eyes with strong, unique and steady baritone vocals paired with interesting dancing and intense stomping fits, the 25 year old single-handedly conveys an inviting assurance. There were hardly pauses between songs but at one point, under a character breaking small bashful smile, she addressed her SF fans directly thanking them for the support from the very beginning and for their continued support. As wild cheers arose she went on: "this is strangely...exhilerating...it's been a while..." .



Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Zola Jesus @ Bimbo's 365 Club 10/8/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

The dark yet positive music sounded great in the small room at Bimbo's and just 45 minutes into the set Zola Jesus announced the next song would be the last. "Don't worry, we'll be back" she told whimpering fans. The  final exchange was touching and quite fitting  for the final song of the show, "It's Not Over." 

Zola Jesus waved and thanked us for the support as she walked off the stage of her successful first show of the Taiga tour! Taiga is available to enjoy on iTunes and Spotify!

SET LIST 10/8/2014

1. Taiga
2. Dangerous Days

3. Dust

4. Hunger

5. Go (Blank Sea) 

6. Ego

7. Lawless

8. Nail

9. Hollow

10. Long Way Down 

11. It's Not Over