9MILLION CAPTIVATES WITH TWO NIGHTS IN LOS ANGELES
SHRINE AUDITORIUM — LOS ANGELES, CA
Toronto-based alt-rock/shoegaze band 9Million showed up and showed out for night two of Ethel Cain’s WILLOUGHBY TUCKER FOREVER TOUR in Los Angeles on August 21st at the historic Shrine Auditorium. The moment the band hit the stage, they flooded the venue with genre-blending sounds, delivering a raw, emotionally charged performance that not only primed the audience for Ethel Cain’s haunting headline set but served as a standout memory for the night.
At the helm of the project is producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and all-around multi-talented multi-hyphenate Matthew Tomasi, best known for his work with Ethel Cain and Nicole Dollanganger. After starting the project as a creative outlet to “explore new sounds and ideas,” 9Million quickly evolved into a fully formed band with Ace Mendoza (lead guitar, vocals), Danielle Clark (vocals, acoustic), Lia Lepre (keys, percussion), Jamie Fastlane (Bass), Noah Aviles-Betel (drums), and Looch Man (guitar, vocals) joining soon after.
Since their formation and release of their 2023 EP Gush, 9Million has been steadily building momentum and touring North America as support. This year, they’re hitting the road with Ethel Cain in the U.S. as well as Europe, with nearly every show date already sold out. August 21st marked only the seventh show out of nearly thirty, but if their performance was any indication, the band is sure to expand their fanbase this year.
To get the night started, the band chose “Shine On” off of their self-titled album—released just a few weeks ago on August 12th—which perfectly establishes the band’s authentically 90s grunge sound. The set heavily featured material from the new album, with tracks like “Creation,” and “When The Kissing Had To Stop” making the cut. Two of my favorite songs of the night included “Joe’s Song” and “Play Pretend,” but I was happy to see earlier tracks like “So Familiar,” from the 2022 album Between Us, having a moment to shine while the band promotes their latest work.
9Million’s new album is heavy, gritty, and cathartic. It’s a record that pulls you in and drowns you in textured guitars and understated late-night angst. For fans of alt-rock, grunge, and dark highway drives, this album is waiting for you. With more than half of the North American tour remaining and Europe still ahead of them, now is the time to get in line, because this band’s headline tour is imminent and you won’t want to miss it.
