Lyn Lapid’s ‘Ube Jam’ Returns at The Nocturne Theatre
- Samantha Wong
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
In an era where major label shows often come with hefty price tags and stadium-sized venues, Lyn Lapid is breaking the mold. February 12 marked the second annual Ube Jam, a free community-focused showcase held at Glendale’s Nocturne Theatre. Beyond performing, Lyn served as the evening’s MC, guiding the audience through a curated lineup that featured GVGO, The Faye, Awodus, Keoni Usi, and Aiden Kroll.
The choice of venue transformed the event from a standard showcase into something far more significant. Because the Nocturne is a traditional theater, the stage felt like a colosseum with the performers positioned front and center. This architectural layout naturally pulled the audience in, stripping away the usual distance found at larger venues and making the entire night feel remarkably intimate. And during the show, Lyn asked for more people to pull in closer and sit on the outer rings of the stage as well.
Lyn was not only performing but MCing the evening for other performers, with each bringing a unique flavor to the Glendale stage. Because many of these artists share history or friendships with Lyn, the performances lacked the rigid formality of a typical industry showcase. Instead, there was a visible comfort and camaraderie between the acts that made the theater feel remarkably intimate. Even with the colosseum-like layout of the venue placing the band front and center, it was the genuine chemistry between the performers that truly pulled the audience into their world.
Opening the night was Utah based artist GVGO, he set a soulful tone for the evening, providing a smooth R&B backdrop as the crowd was still filing into the theatre. He immediately caught the room’s attention with his performance of his original song “HARDLY” which put his impressive vocal range on full display. Toward the end of the set he blew the audience away with his standout cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” where he reinvented the classic groove with soulful guitar lines. Despite being the opening act, he commanded the stage that turned a distracted crowd into a captivated audience.
Photo Cr.: Samantha W.
For the second act of the night, The Faye was the only full band on the line up and also featured bass player Kayla Ramillano, who is also in Lyn’s live band. When they hit the stage, the energy of the room shifted. Usually with a more indie-rock sound, The Faye did more of a stripped back version of their songs that night such as “Attorney” and “FAYE.” By allowing the lead vocals shine through, The Faye leveraged their intimate sound and curated atmosphere to guide the performances.
Awodus who is also the main guitar player for Lyn’s live shows delivered such a masterclass in versatility. Stepping into center stage, they showcased their individual artistry, blending in originals with sophisticated jazz standards. Their rendition of Chet Baker’s “I Fall In Love Too Easily” was a standout moment, allowing the technical precision and emotive playing of their band to fill the theatre. Awodus even prepared the live debut of their song “Tide” that was released the day after Ube Jam.
Photo Cr.: Samantha W.
Bringing a familiar face back to the stage, Keoni Usi returned for his second Ube Jam appearance, solidifying his presence in the SoCal music scene. His performance was elevated by an immaculate backing band featuring two guitar players whose tones were absolute butter. They perfectly captured a sultry, jazz R&B style that felt incredibly smooth in the theatre setting. The set reached its peak with “Ella 4:33” a moment that truly lived up to the “Jam” in the event name. The band began to riff off each other showing off the musical chemistry between them while Keoni’s voice kept echoing the phrase “can we sway” until it finally came to a conclusion.
The last performer before Lyn was Nashville artist Aiden Kroll who is most notably known on TikTok for his viral guitar covers. However, this set was a revelation of his vocal chops which held just as much weight as his playing. Performing in a stripped back format with only his electric guitar and a friend on acoustic, the arrangement offered such an intimate vulnerability that his social media clips rarely get to capture. Most of the songs performed by him that night have not been released, so being the first to hear was definitely a treat. For his final song of the night, he did an amazing cover of a John Mayer classic, “Slow Dancing In a Burning Room,” with an unforgettable guitar improvisation.
As the most anticipated artist that evening, Lyn Lapid started her set with a prerecorded voiceover thanking everyone for coming to Ube Jam. She followed with a sneak peek of an unfinished, unreleased song. Once the stage lights went down, Lyn appeared on stage met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Kicking off her set was her original song “poster boy” on ukulele, which immediately sparked the crowd to sing along, waving flashlights across the theatre. It was beautiful to see that almost every musician from the previous sets also played on Lyn’s set as well, honing in on that community aspect. Throughout the night, she interacted with her fans and turned at every chance she could, reaching every side of the audience during each song like the crowd favorite “buttons.” Ending the night with an encore was the TikTok-viral song, arguably her most popular song, “In My Mind.” The audience sang along from start to finish, before Lyn made a swift exit off the stage.
Photo Cr.: Samantha W.
By the time the final notes rang out, Ube Jam felt like a testament to the strength of the local music community and the loyalty Lyn has for her team. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of the creative ecosystem that exists when artists support one another. By sharing her platform with her bandmates and fellow SoCal creators, Lyn Lapid proved that the best way to build a movement in the music industry is to bring your friends along for the ride.
Who is your favorite artist from the Ube Jam line up? Did you get to attend the show? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by reaching out on Instagram or X!
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Edited by Glenalyn Ann, Martina Yee