original published article: https://distractedmag.com/2025/04/19/the-mystery-lights-hypnotized-bowery-ballroom-with-a-mesmerizing-performance/

The Mystery Lights’ U.S. spring tour took off Wednesday night at New York’s Bowery Ballroom—and when I say took off, I mean it quite literally. Frontman Mike Brandon spent more time airborne than grounded, catapulting himself across the stage like a boy on a trampoline.

Though the band got its start in California, they’ve long called New York home. The current lineup features Brandon on lead vocals and guitar, Luis “L.A.” Solano on guitar, Alex Amini holding down bass duties, Zach Butler on drums, and Lily Rogers adding her signature touch on the Farfisa. With three albums under their belt, The Mystery Lights are known for distilling a Nuggets-era garage sound—think The Kinks or The Easybeats—infused with a spacey, psych-rock edge that keeps things unpredictable.

Walking into the Bowery, I felt like I might’ve stumbled into a time portal: bell bottoms, mullets, and a truly commendable array of mustaches suggested the ’60s and ’70s were alive and well in this crowd. Kicking off the night was Brooklyn-based psych septet Evolfo, whose rich, horn-inflected sound and loose 70s groove made an immediate impression. Their lineup includes trumpet and sax, adding a brassy boldness that filled the room with cinematic flair.

Next up was Levitation Room, a quartet out of East L.A. known for their dreamy, woozy takes on outre rock. Their fanbase showed up in force, with one especially zealous crowd member channeling his excitement into full-body convulsions that bordered on spiritual possession. Both openers brought something special to the table, and it was one of the rare times I found myself fully taken by the entire bill—no filler, no “waiting for the headliner” energy.

By the time The Mystery Lights hit the stage, the room was primed—and they did not disappoint. They launched into “Mighty Fine & All Mine” with explosive energy, instantly turning the venue into a dancefloor. From there, the band tore through 19 tracks in just over an hour, blending deep cuts and fan favorites with high-octane showmanship. A standout moment came at the end of the set when they transitioned seamlessly from “What Happens When You Turn the Devil Down” into the propulsive “Thick Skin.” The beat hit like a jolt, igniting a swirling mosh pit that sent limbs—and at least one flying shoe—into the air.

The encore felt less like a traditional send off and more like a full-on garage rock bacchanal. Fans rushed the stage for impromptu dives and crowd surfing, while Mike Brandon dove into the pit, soaking in the chaos he helped create. They closed with a fiery cover of Los Saicos’ “Demolicion,” a perfect nod to their global garage rock lineage.

The Mystery Lights are often labeled as psychedelic garage rock, but to box them in like that feels reductive. Their set was a kaleidoscopic journey through rock’s grittier corners—equal parts raw, refined, and totally hypnotic. I left the Bowery a bit bruised, fully buzzed, and completely entranced.