Korean rock artist LØREN delivered an early Christmas gift to Los Angeles fans with an unforgettable performance at the intimate Whisky a Go Go on Saturday, December 21, where the raw energy of his rock sound filled the room and electrified the crowd.

LØREN released his debut single, "EMPTY TRASH," in 2020, but despite the pandemic halting his activities shortly after, he quickly found himself performing on some of the biggest music festival stages, including Coachella, SXSW, and Head in the Clouds in both New York and LA. Just a short time later, he has reached another milestone with his anticipated headline debut at the iconic Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles—a venue steeped in rock history. 

What made this night even more special wasn’t just the performance itself, but the legendary setting. Whisky a Go Go has been the birthplace for countless rock legends, with bands like Oasis, Guns N' Roses, System Of A Down, Green Day (in 2019), and Linkin Park (when they were known as Xero) playing their early shows here. Growing up, LØREN has said in interviews he was influenced by the sounds of Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers to name a few, and he said he admires artists like The Strokes, KennyHoopla, My Chemical Romance, and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana). In the beginning of his set when he got a chance to talk to the audience, he said he was very excited to be there performing for the first time at the venue.

Having grown up with the rich history of Whisky a Go Go, passed down through her family’s connection to the venue, General Manager Tisa Mylar describes the space as a "stepping stone" for many artists. “A lot of people come here that are starting out,” she said. “We get a lot of them [bands/artists] that come, they build up from not really having any fans to just going crazy.” For LØREN, performing at Whisky a Go Go is a major milestone. The legendary venue has been the launchpad for countless rock icons, and over the years, it has also seen some notable Asian bands take the stage. Among them are the Japanese rock band NEMOPHILA and YB, one of the first Korean rock bands to headline at the venue in 2015. YB’s performance was a groundbreaking moment, as they were also the first Korean band invited to SXSW in 2007—a feat LØREN himself has had the honor of achieving. By headlining Whisky a Go Go, LØREN leaves his mark and joins a select group of Korean rock artists, making him one of the few to reach this historic stage, and perhaps even the second to do so.

During shows, the general manager of the venue ensures everything runs smoothly, keeping a close eye on the performance. Mylar said she often recognizes the voices of artists who’ve performed at Whisky a Go Go before, but other times, she’s hearing them for the first time. As she walks around the venue, she takes moments to stop, listen, and watch the stage, noting the times when an artist really stands out. While she’s honest about some performances not impressing her, she had nothing but praise for LØREN. When asked about her impression of him and the band, she said,  “LØREN is really good…Never heard him before, but I was pleasantly surprised for sure. I stopped and I was listening at the door. I like his look. He's got a great look and the band is great. And they all have great looks. They’ll do really good.” 

Memorabilia, posters, and photos adorned the walls of the venue, adding to its rich history, while Christmas lights and ribbons lined the upstairs railing, creating a festive atmosphere. The intimate vibe of the venue set the perfect stage for the night. Before LØREN took the spotlight, other talented acts like The London System, Cedric and the Kinkies, and Mood Indigo performed. At around 9:15 p.m., LØREN and the band took the stage for what would be around a 45-minute set with what seemed like a time crunch but filled with high-energy performances, showcasing their signature rock sound and captivating the audience from start to finish.

The night kicked off with “ALL MY FRIENDS ARE TURNING BLUE,” the first song of his set. LØREN then introduced the band: MIKEY on bass guitar, Leeoh on drums, Jack on guitar, and JÜNE on guitar. He casually mentioned that they had just returned from a music video set, teasing the crowd with a hint of what’s to come. 

LØREN, a multi-instrumentalist, also played the guitar and performed tracks from his EP Put Up a Fight, including “Folks” and “Panic.” When he announced and started playing his most recent single, “Gasoline,” the audience erupted in excitement. The colorful flashing stage lights, combined with the band's powerful sound, created an electric atmosphere that had the crowd headbanging and fully immersed in the moment.

“Be known for your own music” is a piece of advice shared by Mylar. LØREN writes all of his songs and is hands-on with every aspect of the creation. During his performance at Whisky a Go Go, he showcased his originality by playing a set composed entirely of his own work, including unreleased tracks like "Submarine," "Emergency," and "Holiday." The only exception was a fun cover, staying true to his rock-driven sound.

Throughout the night, LØREN kept the crowd engaged with playful banter, tossing out witty comebacks to fans. At one point, when a fan called MIKEY cute, he jokingly responded with, "Call him!" Later, after another fan made a comment, he quipped, “Take a number,” before quickly adding, “I’m just joking!”—showing off his lighthearted, self-aware sense of humor.

To close out the night, LØREN delivered an electrifying performance of “Freaks” by Surf Curse, a track he also played a version of during his Head in the Clouds LA set in 2023. As the song reached its peak, LØREN swung his guitar, accidentally knocking over the mic stand in the process. The moment was pure rock star energy—whether intentional or not, as he joked that it was a “light mic stand”—it was the perfect accident. The unexpected chaos only added to the raw intensity and atmosphere of the performance, amplifying the energy and excitement in the room. It was a fitting, climactic moment that embodied the very spirit of rock to end LØREN’s night at the Whisky a Go Go. He stuck around for a little after his set to greet fans and take photos.

With 2025 on the horizon, there’s so much more in store for LØREN and his music, so stick around ‘folks’ and don’t ‘panic.’

What song of LØREN’s do you resonate with the most? If you were to create a music video for LØREN’s unreleased singles, how would you describe it in three words? Let us know in the comments below or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X. 

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Edited by Martina Yee