PENNIBACK SHOWCASES RISING ALT TALENT AS FERA COMMANDS THE VIRGIL STAGE
On Saturday night, independent label and collective Penniback put together a lineup showcasing some of the most promising names coming up in the alternative scene. Opening for Kwasi Kao, alongside Dxrkknght, was fera.
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter carried a strong stage presence, engaging the crowd between songs and setting the tone for what followed. Her vocals came through clean and controlled, soft enough to sit comfortably over the heavier instrumentation, but dark enough in tone to match the weight of her writing. Tracks like “nauseous” tap into the anxiety and push-pull of attachment, while her latest single “my wake and your christening” digs into themes of religious trauma, betrayal, and emotional fallout. fera is set to release her debut EP, riddance, later this year.
The Virgil itself added to the atmosphere. The room is intimate, with a compact stage and a massive disco ball that immediately pulls your focus when you walk in. Sightlines are limited; you’re either finding a bit of elevation in the seating area or moving around the front of the stage to catch different angles. Lighting stayed consistent across all three sets, with heavy washes of red and blue that blanketed the stage throughout the night.
