Multi-instrumentalist Luna Li brings her dream pop sound to Austin’s Empire Garage + Control Room.
Back in August, Luna Li released her sophomore album When a Thought Grows Wings, an orchestral fantasy about her changing life. Now, she’s headlining her American tour and stopped at Empire Control Room in Austin, TX for an incredible night.
Joining Li is Jahnah Camille- a Birmingham, Alabama artist performing on her first ever tour. She opened the night with both new and old songs, including a cover of “Nashville” by Liz Phair.
Li came out to the first track on her album- “Confusion Song.” Her band started the instrumental, building to Li joining them on stage. As Li explained during the show, she’s been with this band since performing at local shows in Toronto. The group had great chemistry and did a great job adapting the studio version of the album to a live performance.
Li delivered on her multi-instrumentalist title. She moved from flute to singing to electric guitar all in one song- and even picked up the violin and mini-harp throughout the night. Her more relaxed, dreamy music makes you forget how technically talented she is- until she picks up the guitar and shreds on a solo- deftly executing quick and challenging riffs. After playing a mini-harp solo, she confessed that one of the strings on the harp was broken and messed her up. But the audience couldn’t have known that- the harp solo sounded amazing nonetheless.
Li brought back songs from her instrumental jams EP and her debut album Duality. She then ended the show with her latest album’s final track- “Bon Voyage.” She left the stage after her guitar solo and the rest of the band exited soon after. The crowd chanted for an encore and was rewarded with Duality’s “Afterglow.” Li handed the mic to a fan and put the lyrics up on a screen for an impromptu karaoke session, which brought an exciting close to the night.
I am an Austin, TX based filmmaker and photographer. I moved from Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated in 2022. I'm a lifelong music lover and spend most of my weekends attending shows. Some recent favorites are K. Flay, Devon Again, and Farmer's Wife. Other than that, I enjoy reading, writing, playing volleyball, yoga, and gaming.
