Photo and words by Jacob Christian
Even an unexpected and shiveringly cold wait of thirty minutes—an appropriate conclusion to a week of historic snowfall—could not dissuade the sizable crowd for the international indie duo Galdive. Braving the twenty-one-hour flight from Indonesia, the group arrived in D.C. on Saturday, January 31, to complete the final destination of the East Coast half of their U.S. tour. The Atlantis welcomed them warmly, with hearty support from the Southeast Asian diaspora in the DMV, including an enthusiastic group of fans who flew in from Texas.
Opener Jackson Lundy took to the stage first, accompanied by his trusted guitar and Nick on the electric keyboard. With a goofy smile and fashion sense that would place first in a performative male contest, Jackson won over the crowd before playing his first song, cheerily introducing himself and announcing his gratitude for the hospitable D.C. reception. A mix of R&B, jazz, country, and more, his eclectic style flowed between the funky uptempo strokes of the guitar in “Happy (Got 1)” and the meandering “Old Me,” an inspirational letter to his younger self. Jackson’s infectious positive energy was shining during a cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” and an untitled, unreleased song, after which he petitioned the audience members for potential names. “Work Friends” captured Jackson’s playful yet down-to-earth spirit, transforming mundane reality into a magical daydream about a work crush, showcasing his whimsical spirit. Despite Jackson’s impressive stage presence (helped by his towering stature), the most memorable moment of the night was videographer Chris’s surprise debut, accompanying Jackson with a harmonica that was bought on a whim during a previous leg of the tour. As they left the stage, the crowd chanted Chris’s name, capping an unforgettable opener with the uniqueness of music to match.
Before long, the awaited star duo of Galdive appeared, composed of vocalist Tisha and producer Os (short for Osvaldo or Osvaldio, as he was originally known before forming Galdive) on the keyboard, accompanied by their traveling band featuring trumpet, drums, and guitar. Wasting no time, they launched into “A Friend”, setting the tone with a soothing electric synth and mystical rolling vocals. Songs such as “Night Charade” featured hypnotic melodies with a catchy bass that captures the alluring sensation of meeting someone on a night out. For a more joyful vibe, while maintaining the same laid-back electronic production signature of the band, they followed up with “Driving Crazy” from their debut album Canvas. “Sway” became an audience favorite as Tisha encouraged everyone to sing and dance along, with the band leading everyone in a simple two-step.
Tisha spoke with pride in representing their Indonesian heritage, wearing traditional formal dress, and even performing a spin at the request of the audience. With every word, she found her voice, admitting the difficulty of speaking in her second language while announcing the giveaway of four self-designed postcards themed after their newest album, Blue, before throwing them into the crowd—with mixed success—to lucky fans. Then, she gave a shoutout to one unsuspecting fan, who scratched the first unofficial Galdive vinyl, compiling the original singles of the band. Throughout the show, she charmingly confessed her gratitude to various fans for singing along, even stating her surprise at a dedicated fan’s singing of the hidden gem “Obsolete” (for which there are no public lyrics—trust me, I looked.)
For the next stanza, Tisha debuted a new song, “20 Weeks,” inspired by her lost cat, who “went on an adventure and never came back.” The slower vibe extended into the finale, with fan favorites “Teach Me How To Love” and the namesake of the newest album and tour, “Blue.” With a somber piano opening and electronic backing, like melting wax or looking out the window on a rainy day, they highlighted the essence of Galdive’s nostalgic sound. Yet, as Tisha returned the mic to its holder and turned to leave, ushering her praise for the lovely crowd, she and Os turned back, promising not just one but two encore songs. Returning to Canvas, the duo continued with “Maybe I.” Tisha’s dreamy vocals encapsulating the uncertain elation of falling for someone. The night ended with “Clouds,” a clever metaphor of digital spaces, jumbled thoughts, and the high of love. As the bridge closed and Tisha’s vocals faded, the crowd unanimously ducked down before bursting up to jump in unison to one last chorus.
While the post-concert adrenaline settled, fans gathered around, flocking to the merch booth and the barricades, for a chance to meet both Jackson and Galdive. With a wide smile, Os stood on the edge, distributing the band’s set lists by throwing them into the crowd, and as the papers fluttered in the air, one fell right into the arms of my friend. Despite the long queue, time flew by, chatting with our new friends, debating our favorite live song, and sharing passions for music, from meeting a diehard Joy Crookes fan after she overheard me from across the room to an unexpected conversation about the joy of Indian weddings. Soon, we were at the front of the line, brainstorming compliments worthy of the quality of performance. As humble and adorable as expected, Tisha and Os refused to accept elaborate praise, discussing their hopes for more Indonesian and Asian representation in music, including fellow compatriot singer/songwriter Niki Zefanya. After a quick digi-cam photo, featuring one of our newest friends, and Os almost stealing our signed setlist back, we walked away fulfilled, joining the bustling nightlife of U Street in a journey to the metro.
