---

St. Claude Avenue is buzzing on this Friday night. There’s music blasting from every direction and people gathered on every corner. I’ve made the 15-minute trip to Siberia, a small, intimate bar and live music venue that’s impossible to overlook thanks to its mural of a mammoth and mountain range. Tonight, I’m here for something that’s been eight years in the making: seeing Video Age and Hovvdy share the stage for one unforgettable show.

I first stumbled upon both bands within just a month of each other, back in 2017—a year that still feels like a soft blur. I had just moved to New Orleans to start my freshman year at Loyola University, and not far from campus sat Gasa Gasa, a funky little venue that quickly became a second home. I remember being more thrilled about finally seeing Dent May live than I was about starting this whole new chapter of my life. While Dent May’s set was everything I hoped for, it was the opener who truly left a mark. That band was Video Age. I still remember the way their sound filled the room and pulled me in, completely unexpected.

A few weeks later, I found myself back at the same venue. This time, it was a show featuring Crumb and Alex G. Sandwiched between the two was a band I had never heard of before, but I figured I would stick around and give them a listen, Once again, I was completely caught off guard by the sheer talent on stage. That band was Hovvdy, and just like with Video Age, it was one of those unexpected moments that stayed with me.

And here we are now, eight years later and the two are on tour together. The full-circle feeling is nearly impossible to ignore. Tonight is a sold-out homecoming show for Video Age; a celebration wrapped in sound. I arrived at the venue a bit early to settle into the intimate space, explore the merch stand, and grab a quick drink before the show started. Before I knew it, the room quickly began to glow with familiar faces. I found myself surrounded by friends—some expected, some pleasantly surprising—and we slipped into the rhythm of the evening together.

As Video Age stepped onto the stage, the room erupted with energy, cheers and shouts filling the room as the crowd surged forward, packing into the small space to celebrate the hometown band. From the first note to last, the band held a magnetic, yet laidback presence, effortlessly commanding the stage. With each song, time seemed to stretch and bend, lingering in the dreamy haze of their sound, only to be jolted back to reality whenever they spoke, grounding each moment with warmth and familiarity.

In just over 40 minutes, Video Age gracefully moved through selections from their four-album discography, weaving together a setlist that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly current. They mostly bounced between tracks from their latest release, Away From The Castle, and my personal favorite, Pop Therapy. The energy in the crowd swelled with every transition, with the crowd locked into every groove and lyric. “Away From the Castle” was definitely one of the more memorable performances for me, with lead singer Ross Farbe’s vocals steady and clear while being backed by the impeccable instrumentation of the remainder of the band. Another standout song performance was “Hold On (I Was Wrong).” It’s no surprise that this is currently their most-streamed track, and hearing it live made me appreciate its effortless charm. “Better Than Ever” kept the groovy vibe throughout the set steady, sounding just as crisp and infectious live as it does recorded. However, about mid-set the band surprised us with an unreleased track—catchy, heartfelt, and instantly memorable. It left the room buzzing, a reminder of how exciting it is to witness something new in real time. And then came the perfect close: “Pop Therapy.” My absolute favorite song of theirs, it was an exhilarating, joyful moment that I wished could have lingered, making it all the harder to watch them step off the stage as the final note faded.

But naturally, the night wasn’t theirs alone. As the stage was being reset for Hovvdy, I slipped outside for some fresh air and to debrief with friends. We were completely swept up in the performance, trading highlights and favorite moments, so caught up in conversation that we barely noticed how much time had passed. That was until we heard the opening notes of “Make Ya Proud,” urging us to ran back in and take our place.

“Make Ya Proud” was the perfect opener for Hovvdy’s set. Even with its laid-back, unhurried pace, the room was alive. The crowd was singing every word and heads were bobbing to the beat. It was the kind of collective energy that makes a song feel bigger than itself. A few tracks later, the soft and familiar piano trill of “Jean” rang out and the entire crowd, including myself, screamed. “Jean” has been one of my all-time favorite songs since its release in 2023, and hearing it live for the first time felt surreal. Even better was realizing I wasn’t alone in that excitement.

Hovvdy carried the momentum through the rest of their set, pulling tracks from across their vast discography. “Mr. Lee” and “Tools” were two unexpected highlights for me. They were songs I had not revisited in ages, yet hearing them live made them feel brand new. They closed their main set with “Forever,” an undeniable classic to cap things off, only to return moments later for an encore consisting of “Meant” and “True Love.” Their entire performance felt raw and unfiltered, with real emotion woven through every note. The crowd was fully locked in and ecstatic the entire time, creating one of those rare nights where everything—the music, the room, the people—felt perfectly in sync.

In a bittersweet manner, this show marked the end of Video Age’s time on tour, a perfect way to close out their journey and return home. This is definitely not the last you’ll see of them. They seem to be taking this time back at home to work on some new music, so I am excited to see what’s next for these guys. As for Hovvdy, they still have a few shows left on their tour, with Free Range supporting them for this final stretch. If you’re lucky enough to be in one of the last stops, I highly recommend catching them live. You definitely will not regret it.