almost monday, a native San Diego indie pop trio, packed SOMA’s side stage on a Thursday evening as eager fans filled the venue. The trio—lead singer Dawson Daugherty, guitarist Cole Clisby, and bassist Luke Fabry—formed in 2019 after meeting through school and the iconic San Diego surf community. They made an explosive entrance into the indie music scene with their debut single, “Broken People,” which led to them signing with Hollywood Records. Since then, the band has experienced a slow but steady rise to fame. Their latest track, “Can’t Slow Down,” has received frequent airplay on San Diego radio stations and amassed nearly 10 million streams since its release last year. Commemorating the release of their debut album, DIVE, the trio embarked on their DIVE tour last month, finally reaching their hometown of San Diego this February.
To open the show, actor and singer Adrian Lyles brought the crowd to life in fun and unexpected ways. As an avid concertgoer, I am often disappointed in opening acts, especially at smaller indie shows. However, that was not the case with Lyles. For his first tour, his impeccable stage presence was astounding. Engaging the crowd with participation and a charismatic persona, he had the packed venue jumping as he moved across the stage, interacting with fans at the barricade. Signed with Hollywood Records, he boasts a Dominic Fike-esque sound, blending fast-flowing raps with a mesmerizing singing voice. His charm only grew as he delivered a flawless cover of “Pink and White” by Frank Ocean. To close his set, he encouraged the audience to jump and dance along, which they did willingly, waving their hands to his final song.
After a moment to breathe following Lyles’ electrifying performance, almost monday teased the crowd with a heavy beat and flashing lights before taking the stage. Lead singer Daugherty immediately brought an infectious energy, rolling across the stage in a thrilling display of enthusiasm. The audience was full of devoted fans, singing along and cheering nonstop. Opening with the title track of their album, “Dive,” the crowd geared up for an evening of dancing and chanting before launching into their buoyant setlist. The trio delivered my new favorite, “Can’t Slow Down,” elevating the energy in the room as the crowd joined in their interactive dance party. The night continued with a seamless blend of album tracks and earlier singles, each met with enthusiasm. For “Tidal Wave,” the band requested harmonization from the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already groovy song.
We were treated to a first listen of “Lost,” an unreleased song from the deluxe edition of DIVE, which proved to be an instant crowd-pleaser. They powered through their set before leading into their indie hit, “Sun Keeps on Shining,” keeping the energy high. Closing with the album’s final track, “Life Goes By,” the ending wasn’t the most electrifying, but the exceptional performance throughout the night more than made up for it.
For a smaller indie band, I had modest hopes for the evening ahead, which were quickly surpassed by a night filled with infectious energy, seamless musicianship, and a crowd that fed off every beat. almost monday proved that their feel-good indie sound translates effortlessly to the stage, with dynamic performances and undeniable charisma. By the end of the night, it was clear that this trio is only gaining momentum, and their ability to turn a modest venue into a euphoric celebration of music left me eagerly anticipating what they’ll do.
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