Balu Brigada Takes The Fonda Theatre By Storm
los angeles, california - october 9, 2025
In light of their debut album, Portal, alt-pop brother duo Balu Brigada took on Hollywood Boulevard’s infamous venue, The Fonda Theatre, earlier this month for an explosive hour-long set. It’s been a big few years for Henry and Pierre Beasley, having scored an opening slot for Twenty One Pilots’ THE CLANCY WORLD TOUR for 2024 and 2025, and making their first American television performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for their radio hit “So Cold.” Despite their current success streak, the pair is far from an overnight sensation.
Photo via @jakescottdon.
Beginning in Auckland, New Zealand in 2016, the brothers made one thing a priority—their love for making music together. Years of dedication and honing in on their skill sets paved the way for a record deal, and soon after, a move to the US in 2023. Their long-awaited, full-length album, Portal, encapsulates the duo’s sonic journey thus far, and Los Angeles was finally getting to hear it all live.
Flashing lights doused the stage as the duo swaggered out with electric guitars slung over their chests. The antsy evening crowd roared with excitement, many with beers in hand that sloshed onto the floor as people stood on their tiptoes and peered over shoulders to catch the initial glimpse of the band. Starting on a high note with the album’s namesake track “Portal” straight into “Golden Gate Girl,” the heavy-hitting drums undergirded Henry’s intro, “I took some photos of your face / I never wanted you to see them / 'Cause it looked better in my head,” which brought an indie sleaze energy that felt refreshingly intriguing.
“Los Angeles, how you guys doing on this Thursday night? It’s Thursday, right? People don’t come out like this in New Zealand on a Thursday, so thank you,” they expressed to the buzzing crowd. Riding the wave of explosive, warped guitar licks, the band’s stage presence was off the charts.
Pockets of disco-esque tracks made for the perfect moments to dance to in real time: “We’re gonna play some old tunes. This one's a good one to groove to. It’s called ‘Designer,’” the boys said before Henry’s suave vocals swirled around a punchy drum kick. For “4:25,” Henry’s soulful performance captured the lingering feelings after lost love that had the whole room singing along: “I still see your face in the dead of the night.”
Photo via Balu Brigada.
The boys knew how to make everyone in the room feel seen and appreciated, starting off with a dedication to their parents, who were in attendance at the show. “Hi, mom and dad! Mom and dad are here tonight. Are you proud of us? We’re doing it for you,” the boys happily uttered into the mic. On the balcony level, their parents smiled from ear to ear, standing on their feet to dance and wave at their sons throughout the night. Dedicated fans showed up and out, resulting in a cheeky sidebar with one fan’s sign during the show: “Sign my forehead again. Let’s do it! Let’s sign the forehead!”
For tracks like “Moon Man” and “Butterfly Boy,” the duo moved in tandem with confidence and fluidity. It was clear that the two were made for the stage together. When one brother was thrashing around during a guitar solo, the other delivered buttery vocals, creating an addictive and contrasting dynamic.
“Is it anyone’s birthday in the building tonight?” the duo shouted before various spots throughout the crowd jumped up and down. “Birthday Interlude” and “Backseat” highlighted the grittier side of the set, amplified with demanding electric chords that echoed against the venue’s high ceilings. It’s no mistake that Harlem played a substantial role in the album-making process, birthing the pure angst found in these tracks that translated beautifully live.
“We’re gonna do a song that is not written by us, but is written by an artist called Grimes,” the singers announced, before a riveting, rock n’ roll rendition of “Oblivion” sent the room into a fit of cheers as flickering, bright green lights washed over the stage.
“This is a fucking dream come true. Thank you so much for having us,” they shouted before their most popular track, “So Cold,” blasted through the amps to close the night.
After exiting the stage, the duo returned quickly after for an encore: “Alright, do you guys have one more in you?” they inquired before jumping into “Find A Way” and “Could You Not.”
Balu Brigada knows how to put on a show, and the kind that’ll keep your ears ringing on the car ride home at that. The brothers will be touring North America until November, and we highly recommend you check out a show on their PORTAL Tour run.
