Japanese Breakfast, the indie sensation led by Michelle Zauner, made a stunning entrance in Atlanta’s Tabernacle during the U.S. leg of their tour.
The evening began with an electrifying set from Ginger Root, described as “aggressive elevator soul.”
Lead singer Cameron Lew infused the crowd with energy, bringing fast beats and tight synth jams. The performance featured a captivating use of a talk box, adding a funky edge to some songs.
Two large screens provided a live video feed, enhancing the audience’s experience as they watched Lew dart across the stage.
As the lights dimmed and fog filled the air, anticipation grew for the next act.
A lone figure carrying a lantern made its way across the stage, and the crowd erupted when the spotlight illuminated Zauner.
She kicked off the night by performing “Here Is Someone” from her new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women).”
Zauner’s presence was like a pearl in a giant clam shell, and her performance of the hypnotic single “Orlando In Love” further solidified her image as the siren she sings about, quite literally as a “Venus from a shell.”
Each album from Japanese Breakfast encapsulates specific emotions from Zauner’s life, and during the concert, these emotions surged through the crowd.
Most audience members were die-hard fans, singing along and connecting deeply with the tone set by Zauner’s music.
The night’s emotional rollercoaster started with the poignant “Boyish,” full of pining and frustration, before leading to the tear-jerker “The Woman That Loves You.”
From her first album, “Psychopomp,” this particular song addresses Zauner’s grieving process following her mother’s death.
For attendees who had read her memoir “Crying in H-Mart,” the weight of the performance was even more profound, evoking tears across the audience.
The atmosphere shifted as the band delved into songs from their 2021 pop album “Jubilee.”
The expressions of joy and desire in Zauner’s music echoed through the theater, peaking during “Posing In Bondage.”
Starting off slow and somber, her voice soared against an entrancing synth backdrop.
Once the lyrical part concluded, Zauner layered her own harmonies, building up the sound with reverb and drums into a danceable rhythm that had the entire theater moving in unison.
The song was a perfect choice to conclude the main set.
Returning for an encore, Zauner treated the crowd to two fan-favorite tracks.
The first, “Paprika,” is one of her catchiest pop songs, featuring drastic dynamics as she bangs on a large gong while singing, “Oh, it’s a rush.”
She closed the night with “Posing for Cars,” a melancholy yet beautiful reflection on love, with poignant lyrics that resonate with many of her themes.
Zauner’s last line, “just a single slow desire fermenting,” epitomized her artistic identity and the emotions embedded in her work.
She finished the performance with an impressive guitar solo, leaving the audience in awe.
Japanese Breakfast’s live performances elevate their music to new emotional heights, a feat that seems unattainable after just listening to their records.
Fans can catch them on the West Coast later this summer, with tickets available at japanesebreakfast.rocks.
image source from：https://nique.net/entertainment/2025/06/16/japanese-breakfast-stuns-in-atlanta/
