Los Angeles heavy gaze band, Blackwater Holylight, makes a stop at Houston’s White Oak Music Hall as they tour for their new album, Not Here Not Gone, with support from Glassing and Lavi Bly.
It’s Wednesday night as fans line up outside in anticipation for the Houston stop of Blackwater Holylight’s tour. As the doors open and audience members head upstairs there’s a noticeable buzz, everyone excited to hear the bands latest release live. The show starts with Houston locals, Lavi Bly. Despite being new to the scene Lavi Bly sounds well seasoned, her delicate vocals intoxicating to listen to while cutting through the wall of sound her backing band wraps around the audience.
Soon it’s time for Austin’s Glassing to take the stage. Glassing is unlike nearly any band you’ve seen. Big, loud, and in your face, Glassing’s opening song roars to life while they keep their foot on the throttle the entire set. The audience rocks back and forth to the deeply groovy doom riffs, just until the band switches it up, introducing hardcore and post-rock influence that keeps the audience engaged wondering where they’re being taken next.
Finally, the audience cheers as Blackwater Holylight step into their positions on stage. They begin to work their way through their latest release, Not Here Not Gone, a lyrically introspective juggernaut in their discography that subverts the listener’s idea of what a heavy band should sound like. Their set is full of nods to doom legends like Black Sabbath, pulls inspiration from shoegaze staples like Hum, all while having a uniquely feminine tone to their sound.
Eventually, the show comes to its end. Blackwater Holylight finishes their last song, the venue that just moments before was full of dense sound falls quiet. Except for the whispers among the audience, who lean over to someone nearby to say how much they enjoyed the show, all before heading to the merch table, already anticipating the next time Blackwater Holylight is in town.
I’m a photographer born and raised in Houston. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager, I love attending local shows and supporting the Houston music scene. If I’m not at a show I’m probably making my own music, hanging out with my cat, or binge watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.
