By Sindhuja Darisipudi and Harshitha Pelaprolu
Following almost two years touring, Holden S. Jaffe, better known as Del Water Gap, returned to Houston for the second solo show on his I Miss You Already + I Haven't Left Yet (IMYA+IHLY) tour only two weeks after the album's release. Playing at Warehouse Live's intimate 450 person capacity studio, Jaffe imbued the room with his vivacious energy for an unforgettable show.
The show opened with a contrasting but complementary tempo, with opener Kristiane, alongside her bassist Kelsey, delivering soft indie pop reminiscent of Gracie Abrams and Clairo. Highlighted by her newest album's lead single "Wish I Could Be Your Girl," Kristiane's set cultivated a comforting and welcoming atmosphere.
Del Water Gap's set bursted with energy from the start, beginning with "NFU" off his new album. Strong lighting flooded the stage and set the tone for the electric spirit that came with the show that followed. The rest of the set was composed of songs both from IMYA+IHLY and from parts of his older discography, all of which were sonically complimentary, so no energy was lost in transitions. The backing tracks throughout the show were immersive and infused the room with energy, all without being overwhelming or drowning out the artist's crisp and captivating vocals. There were also several moments in which the band was able to stand out with solos and riffs, creating a sound unique from the album as heard via streaming. Jaffe's energy throughout the show was entirely met by the crowd's ardent singing and dancing. Throughout the first portion of the set, upbeat songs were punctuated by softer ones, each flowing seamlessly into the other despite the difference in sound.
A little over halfway through the show, Jaffe played "Beach House," marking a transition into a continuous set of upbeat songs. The artist later shared that this song was his favorite to play on tour, which was evident in the energy he brought to the stage during its performance. This second act was accentuated with a fan favorite "Perfume,” where Jaffe joined the crowd to dance, along with two lead singles off IMYA+IHLY, "All We Ever Do is Talk" and "Coping On Unemployment.” For an encore, Jaffe first played a serene "We Will Never Be Like Anybody Else," slowing the pace of the show one last time to focus attention on beguiling vocals, gentle music, and the intimacy of the setting. The show ended with his breakout single "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat," reestablishing the same electric and dynamic energy that the show began with.
Alongside an enveloping sonic experience, Jaffe curated a unique visual experience as he supplemented standard concert lighting and fog with a set consisting of an old CRT TV, rotary phone, and old fashioned nightstand clock. Throughout the set, the TV was lit with visuals that Jaffe had released alongside IMYA+IHLY. Most notable were the "Quilt of Steam" visualizer and several music videos from throughout his career, all of which are evocative of old footage taken from a coming of age film.
Del Water Gap cultivated an extremely unique visual, sonic, and social experience throughout his show, culminating in a performance guaranteed to please any indie rock or indie pop fan. Jaffe demonstrated not only an ability to produce exceptional music in his genre, but also to create a truly engaging and vibrant experience.
