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Opening the Fonda Theatre is no easy task, but Ryan Hall surpassed all expectations and put on an absolutely electric performance. Hall played back-to-back nights alongside Michael Clifford (of 5 Seconds of Summer) as both the opening act and the guitarist in Clifford’s band at the iconic Los Angeles venue. This gig follows Hall’s feature on Clifford’s debut solo album SIDEQUEST; other names on the project include Porter Robinson and Waterparks, two critically acclaimed acts that serve as strong indicators of Hall’s promising career ahead. 

As soon as Hall stepped out onstage, the entire room came alive. The set began with his song “gradual,” a dreamy track filled with elongated synths and gorgeous acoustic guitar strums. Hall’s vocal tone was clear and effortless as he transitioned between chest and head voice, the audience hanging on his every word. While playing his upbeat song “glad to be here,” Hall surprised the crowd with a mashup cover of Selena Gomez & The Scene’s “Who Says.” The combination of songs had the crowd singing along and created a fun and memorable moment, highlighting how the 2010s cult classic blended perfectly with Hall’s signature style of instrumentation. Later in the set, Hall performed covers of “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls and “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, keeping fans on their toes as he fused modern, electronic production with already familiar lyrics and melodies. 

If Hall’s music didn’t immediately enrapture the crowd, his personality did. His quick wit and unapologetic stage presence sparked multiple funny audience interactions between songs. As he bounced around between pads, electric guitar, and acoustic guitar, it became evident that although Hall was alone onstage, he was perfectly comfortable commanding the room with the energy of a full band. His distinctive live sound, which featured expressive guitar combined with glitchy synths and vocal chops, crafted a raw yet futuristic soundscape that engulfed the Fonda Theatre. Every song brought something new and vibrant to the table, and by the time Hall bid the stage farewell, no one was ready to see him go. Luckily for everyone, he was back thirty minutes later playing guitar for Michael Clifford’s set. 

If you haven’t heard of Ryan Hall before, do yourself a favor and get acquainted with his music now. You’ll be seeing his name everywhere very soon, and his rise to stardom is only just getting started.