It *can* be challenging to sell out a venue early in the week, especially a venue as big as the Fillmore Silver Spring when the WMATA red line connecting to Silver Spring is under construction. Yet, there’s a reason people from all over recently flocked to see Hiatus Kaiyote.

Hiatus Kaiyote have graced The Fillmore stage before, and they looked right at home this go around on July 1. The band quickly endeared themselves to the audience, speaking affectionately about “The DMV” and the Ethiopian food scene in the area. This wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for a regular visitor to DC, but Hiatus Kaiyote hail from Melbourne, Australia.

This worldly approach is not only reflected in the energy Nai Palm and crew bring to the stage, it lifts the music and songwriting. Many were enamored with the song “Longcat” off the most recent release, Love Heart Cheat Code. “Longcat” is about a cat keychain purchased for bass player Paul Bender at a gas stop in Japan. The song also features sounds from Nai’s actual cat back home in Australia.

While their spirit flows through whimsical jams like “Longcat,” it shines in songs like “Everything’s Beautiful.”

“Didn’t you notice? Don’t you know, love? Don’t you know everything’s beautiful?”

Watch the official visualizer for “Everything’s Beautiful” by Hiatus Kaiyote on YouTube:

Life hasn’t always been easy for frontwoman Nai Palm, but her perspective and positivity make everything beautiful — the simplicity and the intricacy! The Hiatus Kaiyote experience is a magical one. It includes a small glow in the dark dinosaur in a cowboy hat that guards the front of the stage, flashing neon lighting, and hypnotic stage art.

Nai Palm’s shining green hair swings across the stage as she holds the entire audience captive. At The Fillmore Silver Spring, there were few phones being checked or runs to the bar being made. There was a great appreciation for the moment and an evening that will be painted in neon shades in my memory.

Here are some photos of Haitus Kaiyote performing at The Fillmore Silver Spring on July 1, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Gabriel Adler.