D.C.’s smaller music venues have their own interesting taste. You have a sizable crowd, but not sizable enough to get the sense that people are coming out for the artist rather than a night out. You have one part of the crowd who comes for the artist, then another part of the crowd that consists of millennial to older couples or people on a first date. ((( O ))) seemed to be acutely aware of this dynamic, and engaged the audience in a highly instinctual and responsive one-woman show.
She came out in a beautiful asymmetrical black dress under a spotlight and performed a choreographed routine to her DJ set with acrobatic grace. Then she started the set; it was a fairly hypnotic journey. What sets ((( O ))) apart from her contemporaries is her remarkable ability to dissolve the barrier between performer and audience. Throughout the night, she guided attendees through exercises in human connection, encouraging eye contact between strangers. It was a bold move that could have felt forced in less capable hands.
Though the setlist drew heavily from her latest album (((5))) (2024), each song felt fresh and immediate. ((( O )))’s approach to performance allows for significant improvisation — including an extended song with a flute — with each track breathing and evolving in response to the room’s energy. This adaptability was put to the test when the venue’s sound system experienced a dramatic failure, resulting in an unexpected bass drop that rattled the space. Rather than showing frustration, ((( O ))) demonstrated genuine concern for her audience’s wellbeing before addressing the technical issues.
The show’s arc began in ethereal, fairy-tale territory before gradually building to a full-blown techno crescendo. She ended up crowd-surfing, but in a more whimsical way that emulated hands like sea amoebas rather than a rock show. This progression felt natural and earned, like a story reaching its climactic chapter. The transformation from whimsical to visceral demonstrated ((( O )))’s range, proving she can navigate multiple electronic music territories without losing her distinctive artistic voice. What made the evening truly special was ((( O )))’s ability to maintain authenticity while commanding the space. Despite the theatrical elements and carefully planned choreography, there wasn’t pretension in her performance. Instead, she projected a confident vulnerability that invited the audience to join her in creating something larger than a typical concert experience.
In the context of D.C.’s music scene, where audiences can sometimes feel fragmented by age, interest, or social groups, ((( O ))) united the audience into her carefully crafted world, curating experiences with care and instinctual responsiveness. In an era where electronic music shows can often feel impersonal or formulaic, ((( O ))) is an artist who understands that true performance transcends the simple act of playing music.
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