Korean R&B soloist SAAY has been continuing her journey to make a name for herself among the limelight and screaming crowds. Amongst this journey, SAAY would embark on a small duo-show “tour” that had been penned 2024 Live In America, which brought the artist to New York and California.
I had the pleasure of experiencing the Korean artist’s riveting performance in Los Angeles at the humble and welcoming Moroccan Lounge, nestled just on the outskirts of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo/Arts District Station. A nice and subtle location that kept concert-goers out of the main hustle and bustle of the Downtown Los Angeles headache.
This was my first time attending a show at The Moroccan Lounge as well as my first time experiencing the high-energy antics of SAAY. So, to say I was quite excited would be an understatement. The line outside of the venue would begin to form promptly around 6 PM, just a few minutes ahead of the doors opening with tons of chatter and excitement, fans talking about SAAY’s New York setlist, and how excited they were to experience some of these songs live.
The venue staff was quite nice and helpful where they could be, a great sight as I’ve experienced some of the most vile in terms of power-hungry staff. So, for my first time here, it was a pleasant sight. Doors would open around the stated 6:30 PM time, as we shuffled inwards, the outpouring atmosphere of excitement kicked in, as we crossed passed the venue’s bar locale, moving into the venue’s performance room.
It honestly did not take long for the performance room within The Moroccan Lounge to explode with pure energy as special guest Maya Kuriel and her backing band for the night would kick things into high gear, transforming concertgoers from those sitting to the perfect example of burning up the dance floor. The lively crowd would tune their dancing shoes along the eccentric guitar riffs and high-flying vocal melodies, setting the tone for the night to come.
Just like with SAAY, this would be my first time seeing the workhorse that would become Maya Kuriel. The smiles, high spirits, and just pure enjoyment of performing were infectious. Between the edgy guitar solos and forgotten lyrics was an example of how to treat a live show: just have fun with it. Maya Kuriel and her guys understood this and never once missed a beat to joke, interact with the crowd or just lose control and dance the night away.
Maya would also inform the crowd that this would be the first time her father would be seeing her perform, creating an emotional atmosphere before jumping into a block of vulnerability. Maya would smash the night with performances of “Hostile,” “Victim Complex,” “Social Battery,” and an incredible cover of Ariana Grande’s “we can’t be friends” that beautifully showcased her own vocal range.
Maya Kuriel’s set would quickly come to an explosive end as she treated concertgoers to a performance of her latest single, “Liquid Courage,” transforming her set into a full-blown celebration for her new single. Having listened to the track ahead of its release, I will say it translates perfectly into the live show experience and quickly became one of my favorites performed by the up-and-coming artist throughout her set.
And, just like that Maya and her talented backing band Hongbin Xu and Marc Solo ( who absolutely KILLED it) would take their leave and the performance room would once again grow cold and filled with chatter as we awaited the stage lights to drop to black and for SAAY to appear.
Amongst the waiting, concertgoers could be seen taking selfies, exchanging drinks and numbers, as well as showing off each other’s striking photos of the set before. The vibes within the venue were the same as one would feel just hanging out at a friend’s house, which set the mood for the entire night. Though Maya Kuriel and SAAY are “strangers” among the audience they both never once show that dominance, instead trade the power for humility and friendly faces, welcoming us all into their world.
It wouldn’t be long before attention was back on the raised stage as the light went black and the high-energy queen of the night would take the stage to a massive wall of cheers, screams, and flying hands. To say SAAY knows how to command a stage would be a complete understatement as the Korean R&B artist ignited the stage creating a fun club vibe that made it possible to completely let loose.
Asking the crowd if they were ready to “get nasty,” fans would crack jokes back which had SAAY busting into her own laughter in between water breaks as she tossed around her playful energy, building upon the electricity felt within the crowd creating memorable moments that had the artist having full blown conversations. I was quickly reminded why I love smaller shows and the building blocks that are built within a community within those small moments and interactions.
An example of this; ahead of jumping into her song “Rocky,” a member of the audience would explain in excitement that that song was her favorite, which caught the attention of SAAY sending the audience member into a shy shell, which had SAAY exclaiming, “she’s so cute.” It’s these moments that will last forever, and have an artist like SAAY shooting towards the stars with great velocity.
SAAY would go on to perform a constant high-energy set that would consist of songs, “CIRCLE,” “Shit Maker,” and her latest single, “Domino” which translated perfectly live and had the crowd lose their collective minds as they danced alongside the mirage on stage.
Though the high-energy antics were infectious and created the perfect safe space for fun to show its face, SAAY would bring her own emotional atmosphere in the form of “I’M OKAY,” which had the artist connecting even more with her fans as both would throw caution to the wind and continue to embrace the let loose vibes bouncing along the walls.
There were so many songs being performed that I couldn’t help but think a ton of these would sound amazing with her own backing band pushing forward the energy to help further showcase her sensational vocal range and skillful dance moves.
The night would quickly be approaching its end. But, not before SAAY would exclaim that she didn’t want to leave, which had fans cheering for her to stay. One thing was clear last night, which was just how devoted of a fan base SAAY is growing little by little, creating memories and experiences that keep them coming back for more.
SAAY would also tease that she is currently preparing for her first world tour, which also got the fans exploding with cheers for the limelight shining even brighter among one of their favorite artists. The atmosphere within the Moroccan Lounge continued to explode with excitement and energy as SAAY performed her final song, putting an excellent end to a sensational night filled with connection and great songs.
SAAY’s 2024 Live In America takeover of Los Angeles was exciting, filled with joy, and just overall felt like the most comfortable performance I have been to since my teen years going to punk shows at the Glass House in Pomona. I can say with utmost confidence that this will most likely not be the last SAAY show I attend as her star continues to rise.
So, with a potential upcoming world tour coming into play, I cannot recommend attending enough as you’re bound to have an incredible time.
