Show Review: Jason Cheny @ Neptune Theatre

Jason Cheny Brings Down the House at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle

SEATTLE (May 3, 2025) — Taiwanese American comedian Jason Cheny returned to Seattle Saturday night with a sold-out performance at the historic Neptune Theatre, delivering a riotous evening of cultural commentary, dark humor, and a whole lot of crowd participation.

The night kicked off with opening acts Will Pepper and Bo Johnson, who each brought their own brand of laughter and a few jaw-drops to a packed house.

Will Pepper warmed up the audience with rapid-fire jokes and self-deprecating humor, riffing off his last name and, in a moment that sent audible shivers through the audience, explaining the dubious concept of “Utah soaking.” (No, you really don’t want to Google it.) His short but punchy set hit all the right notes to set the tone for the evening.

Next up was Seattle native Bo Johnson, whose dry delivery and NPR-caliber voice lulled the crowd into a false sense of calm before unleashing stories from his ultra-holistic childhood. Raised by massage therapist parents, Johnson wove tales of awkward childhood moments, and hilarious clapbacks to bullies who tried, and failed, to weird him out. Spoiler: they never stood a chance.

When headliner Jason Cheny hit the stage, the energy in the room hit another level. He immediately thanked the audience for coming out, especially the large number of Asian fans, and gave a playful nod to the “few white people” in attendance, drawing explosive laughter from all corners of the room. From there, it was full throttle.

For those familiar with Cheny, his fast-paced, boundary-pushing style delivered exactly what they came for. For newcomers, Cheny had no problem spotting them in the crowd, and promptly pulling them into his set, much to the delight of their more prepared partners. No topic was off-limits: childhood trauma, impatient behavior, cultural expectations, and even awkward sauna encounters … all delivered with a masterful mix of vulnerability and bite.

A particularly memorable moment came when the audience demanded a dark joke to close out the set, and Cheny obliged, earning one of the biggest laughs of the night. It’s not easy to bond with a theater full of strangers over shared existential dread, but Cheny somehow made it feel like a group therapy session… if therapy came with punchlines.

After the show, Cheny didn’t disappear backstage. Instead, he stuck around to meet fans, pose for photos, and personally thank nearly everyone who approached him. It was a gracious, genuine gesture that capped off an already memorable night.

Cheny hinted he’ll be back in Seattle next year, so fans should keep an eye on his website for tour updates. If Saturday night was any indication, tickets will be gone in a flash.

SMASH 2025 Benefit at the Crocodile

SMASH is a non-profit organization that provides access to free and affordable healthcare services for musicians living in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap, and Thurstan counties as well as assistance in navigating our Byzantine and often confounding healthcare system.



SMASH throws a benefit concert/party annually and this year’s edition was at the Crocodile Cafe, celebrating the music of Fleetwood Mac. Wild Rumors (who specialize in recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac) acted as the house band for the evening and the roster of special guests was chock-a-bloc with many of the Pacific Northwest’s biggest names, including Shaina Shepherd, Ayron Jones, Eva Walker, Star Anna, Pete Droge & Elaine Ian Moore, Jeff Fielder & Tekla Waterfield, Mark Pickerel, John Roderick, Molly Sides and many more.


The performances were strong across the board and the large crowd responded enthusiastically. The evening ended on a raucous high note with all of the artists onstage, aided and abetted by the Seahawk’s Blue Thunder marching band, performing a roof raising rendition of ‘Tusk’. The ovation at the end of the show was long and smiles in the satisfied crowd were abundant.

Show Review & Photos: Kylie Minogue and Rita Ora @ Climate Pledge Arena

Kylie Minogue - Climate Pledge Arena 2025-4-25 - Photo by Diane Webb

Kylie Minogue Delivers Pop Spectacle on Tension Tour Stop in Seattle

Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, April 25, 2025 – Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue brought energy, emotion and dazzling visuals to her Seattle stop on the Tension Tour 2025, her largest global tour since 2011.

Minogue, who first gained worldwide recognition with her 1987 breakout hit “The Loco-Motion,” has since become one of pop’s most enduring figures. With two Grammy Awards and six total nominations, she most recently earned a win in 2024 for best pop dance recording for “Padam Padam.”

Ahead of the tour, Minogue expressed her excitement: “I am beyond excited to announce the Tension Tour 2025. I can’t wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more! It’s been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close-up because I will be calling, ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ , and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!”

Joining her on tour was British singer-songwriter Rita Ora, who made her Seattle debut as the opening act.

Wearing a short white minidress and high-heeled white boots, Ora kicked off the evening with “Ask and You Shall Receive.” Her high-energy set featured a string of fan favorites, accompanied by dynamic choreography and a team of dancers.

During her remix of Fatboy Slim’s 1998 hit “Praise You”, famously performed at Eurovision 2023, Ora dropped to the floor laying on her stomach in a playful pose with her feet swaying in the air behind her, as she teased the crowd. Rising to her feet, she rallied the audience with: “Is my microphone on? Can you hear me? I can’t hear you!” The crowd responded with a roar. She then dashed down the runway into the audience, interacting with fans before striking a sultry pose with her dancers as the lights dimmed.

Ora closed her set with “Let Me Love You,” pausing mid-song to thank the Seattle audience for their warm welcome before soaking in the crowd’s energy one last time.

A Five-Act Pop Odyssey

Kylie Minogue - Climate Pledge Arena 2025-4-25 - Photo by Diane Webb

As the arena lights dimmed, a cheer rose from the crowd. Minogue appeared seated on a swing suspended above the stage, opening the show with “Lights, Camera, Action” against a dreamy blue backdrop with fog and spotlights focused on her.

What followed was a masterclass in pop showmanship. Minogue performed an expertly curated mix of global hits and deep cuts, every moment designed to resonate with the crowd. Visually, the production was mesmerizing, LED screens, fog machines, custom staging, vibrant costumes, a two-stage setup, and a massive disco ball that illuminated the venue.

Each act brought new excitement. Fans sang, danced and screamed as their favorite tracks played. Early in the evening, the crowd erupted so passionately that Minogue paused, visibly moved, placing her hands over her chest. She stood silently, soaking in the love, prompting even louder cheers. The emotional bond between Minogue and her audience was palpable.

The hits kept coming. From “Spinning Around” to “In Your Eyes,” Minogue navigated decades of her discography with precision and charm. She even dusted off “The Loco-Motion,” playfully telling the audience: “If you’re an OG, you’ll know this one.”

Act Three took Minogue through the crowd to a B-stage at the rear of the venue, allowing her to perform up close to fans in all directions. Surrounded by audience members on all four sides, she paused to take song requests, calling out to fans with handmade signs. She then delivered a rare live rendition of “Tightrope,” performing it for the first time since 2012.

Midway through the B-stage set, Minogue began her tradition of handing out roses and selecting one fan to be her “Wild Rose” for the night. For Seattle, that was Vanessa, a young woman in a furry hot pink jacket who had come alone. Minogue held her hand and chatted with her, giving the moment warmth and authenticity that fans will long remember.

Kylie Minogue - Climate Pledge Arena 2025-4-25 - Photo by Diane Webb

Vanessa, Seattle’s “Wild Rose”

This portion of the show marked the beginning of the “Disco” set. As a massive disco ball descended from the ceiling, casting shimmering lights throughout the arena, Minogue, surrounded by her dancers, changed costumes and delivered a glittering performance of “Supernova” before returning to the main stage.

Act Four shifted gears with a more introspective mood. During “Confide,” a moody LED backdrop featured a slide for those feeling alone in Seattle to “Confide” with the image of phone next to a sign reading 1-555-CONFIDE (not a real mental health call line, but leading into the song being performed). Minogue emerged in a black floor-length cape under pulsing blue and red lights, her vocals soaring in a solo spotlight that added theatrical weight to the moment.

The final act brought the energy back with high-tempo fan favorites “Tension” and “All the Lovers.” The arena reached fever pitch during the unmistakable opening beats of her 2001 mega-hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” with the crowd dancing in unison.

The encore featured three explosive tracks: “Padam Padam,” “Love at First Sight” and the title track “Tension.” An evening packed with lasers, confetti, and deafening cheers filling the air ended this show on a euphoric high.

Kylie Minogue’s Tension Tour 2025 is a triumph of sound, visual spectacle and emotional connection. With its hit-packed setlist, theatrical production, and deeply human moments, it’s a tour no pop fan should miss.

Photos: Phish at the Climate Pledge Arena (Night 2)

The band Phish electrifies the crowd at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wa.

Phish electrified the crowd at Climate Pledge Arena with their signature brand of psychedelic rock, delivering an expansive musical journey that transformed the sustainable Seattle venue into a cosmic playground.

The Vermont-based quartet, known for their improvisational prowess and devoted fanbase, filled the space with swirling guitar solos, intricate bass lines, and hypnotic rhythms that had fans swaying and dancing throughout the night. As colorful light displays washed over the audience, the band’s lengthy instrumental explorations created an immersive experience that showcased why they remain legends of the jam band scene after nearly four decades of performing.

Photos: KTJ & CARLY @ Madame Lou’s

KTJ & CARLY @ Madame Lou’s – 4/11/2025
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Pop duo KTJ & CARLY joined the west coast leg of IDER’s North American tour last week and made a stop at Madame Lou’s, one of several stages at the legendary Crocodile.  The identical twins – Katie and Carly – have been performing together for five years and were on the road in support of their most recent album, Forever Young.  The sisters’ beautiful harmonies and original songs won over a large group of new fans that evening.

KTJ & CARLY – Photos by Kirk Stauffer