Sometimes worlds collide in the most pleasing, and unforeseen, ways. Oh He Dead had kicked off its maiden European/UK tour at Jamboree in Barcelona, Spain on March 1st. By fortuitous coincidence, the band was scheduled to be in London on March 4, the same date that I would be passing through on the front end of a month-long trip. I’d had the chance to see the band play Bellingham, Washington, last year and the opportunity to see and photograph my Washington, DC pals in London was too good to pass up!
Performing tunes from their three albums, Oh He Dead (2019), Pretty (2023), and Ugly (2024), plus a couple well-placed covers, the five piece ensemble, CJ Johnson (vocals), Alex Salser (guitar), Adam Ashforth (drums), Piano Whitman (keys), and Colin Sidley (bass) delivered a smoking set that ranged from funk and rock, to R&B and blues.
The evening began with a short set from London-based Phoebe Rea, along with her companions, Aleks Dimitrova on bass, and Joe Steyn on drums. If ever there was an argument for making sure to arrive for the opening act, Phoebe Rea made a resounding case. Classically trained on piano and violin, she stunned the Courtyard audience with her “nu-jazz, alternative, and art-pop music for misfits.” The trio’s short but dazzling set featured songs from her new EP, Anyone Else?, and prompted more than a few of us “misfits” to go seek out more of her music. More information can be found at her website here.
Stream Phoebe Rea’s debut EP, Anybody Else? On Spotify.
Earlier in the evening, we happened to run into CJ and had a chance to chat briefly. East coast meeting West coast in, of all places, the United Kingdom, and seeing familiar faces and smiles was a comfort, softening the blow as worlds collided. CJ and band hit the stage just before 8:00 PM and the appreciative audience was soon dancing (or at least tapping their toes) to the band’s infectious tunes and easy-going onstage vibes. Smiles all around, the show ended with an impromptu encore, with CJ beckoning Phoebe to the stage for a rambunctious performance of the Zuton’s “Valerie.”
Listen to Oh He Dead’s latest studio album, Ugly (Wally Baba Records), on Spotify:
Oh He Dead will be touring throughout the U.S. in summer 2026 in a runup to the band’s new album, Vertigo, slated for a September 2026 release on Wally Baba records. For more information check out Oh He Dead’s website here.
Below are images of Oh He Dead along with Phoebe Rea performing at The Courtyard Theatre on March 3, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Mark Caicedo.
