There are concerts, and then there are evenings that feel like stepping into someone else’s dream. Bria Salmena’s show at Casbah in San Diego on April 2nd was firmly a soft and beautiful little world built inside a bar. 

Currently weaving her way through an international tour. Bria brought a quiet kind of magic to the tiny stage. Her voice was full of energy and soul. It truly gave emotion and life into every lyric that she sang. I found it most captivating in her song Closer to you which is part of her newest Album, Big Dog. This is the type of song that makes the late night drive feel more magical. 

My favorite part of the night? The lighting. It was an atmosphere of ocean blues shared with fiery reds. Bria stood in the middle of it all like a figure out of a dream. It matched the mood of the music perfectly and made the set feel kind of cinematic, without trying too hard. Her setlist was a combination of emotional and smooth listening. The audience definitely captured that, when I took a quick look around everyone was just having a good time and Bria was the highlight of the night. 

If Bria’s heading through your city, definitely go. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t need anything flashy—it’s just good music, good atmosphere, and a really grounded, genuine performance. 

Cover photo accessed via (@briasalmena) on Instagram