Have you ever been to a primary care doctor and wondered why they focus on treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of your illness? Rather than take a patient-centered approach to address questions like, “Why are you ill?” they prescribe medications that alleviate symptoms but don’t do much to solve the underlying issue that’s causing you to be sick.
When you have a runny nose, you’re handed an antihistamine. When you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you’re prescribed a pill that treats the number. The truth is that this approach only tackles your symptoms. When the root cause isn’t fixed, your symptoms can get exponentially worse. Remember - your body’s dysfunction isn’t due to your meds not working.
This begs the question: Wouldn't you rather address the underlying cause of your health concerns so you can experience long-term relief? As a naturopathic doctor in Solana Beach, CA, Dr. Erica Oberg takes a functional approach to medicine and well-being instead of treating the symptoms her patients endure.
Health is a state of vibrant vitality, abundant energy, and positive affect. It can be learned, cultivated, and practiced by everyone. Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine combines the rigors of science with the wisdom of nature and our bodies. She is passionate about helping people experience a higher level of health and vitality. As such, her clinical practice focuses on preventing, reversing, and taming chronic disease, neuro-degeneration, and anti-aging.
Dr. Oberg specializes in nutrition & lifestyle, IV therapy, and identifying the underlying causes of disease using advanced testing and creating customized treatment plans to help individuals dial in their lifestyle, dietary supplements, peptides, bioidentical hormones, anti-aging pharmaceuticals, and more. If you’re looking for individualized, science-based, proactive functional, integrative, or natural medicine, we believe you’ll resonate with Dr. Oberg and work your way through life’s challenges with help from our functional medicine clinic in Solana Beach, CA.
Dr. Oberg and her team of licensed providers specialize in a range of naturopathic and science-based services, including but not limited to:
If you're ready to reclaim your vitality and learn more about Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine, we make it easy to get started. The first step is to have a complimentary 15-minute phone call to ask questions and determine if her approach is a good fit. Once Dr. Oberg understands your health needs and goals, your journey to optimal health and wellness truly begins.
Now that you know more about what makes Dr. Oberg different from other physicians, let's dig a little deeper into some of the most popular programs and clinical services offered at her functional medicine clinic.
As people get older, many things change in life. Often, those changes are good, like having more self-control, financial freedom, and patience. Others are hard to deal with, especially when they're out of our control. Like all things in life, our hormones change when we get older. These fluctuations can cause problems for both men and women, including:
If those symptoms sound familiar, you're not alone. A 2019 American Psychological Association survey found that almost half of women aged 30 to 60 in the US have experienced symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Of course, as men age, they suffer from imbalanced hormones, too. Research from BodyLogicMD states that nearly 38% of males in America aged 45 and older have a testosterone deficiency.
The good news is that balancing your hormones and addressing the root cause of your symptoms doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a realistic goal with Dr. Oberg by your side. As a functional medicine doctor in Solana Beach, CA, she can help your body metabolize and detoxify both your own hormones and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals infiltrating your life. When your hormones are in harmony, you experience improved energy, mood, and overall health – and that’s something to be excited about.
Our comprehensive Three-Month Hormone Balancing Program is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your hormonal health. This is no "one-and-done service" - it's a holistic journey that spans three transformative months, offering the support and guidance to become confident, capable, and healthier than ever. Features of our hormone balancing program include:
You will receive support throughout your journey from Dr. Oberg, who will provide healthcare services, and our health coaches, who offers personalized coaching tailored to your specific needs.
Nutrition has a significant impact on hormonal health. A customized hormone-balancing diet plan will be provided to help nourish the body optimally based on individual goals.
We provide a range of practical strategies and tips for regulating hormone balance through your nervous system. These techniques aim to empower you to take control of your well-being.
When appropriate, we’ll prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or growth hormone peptide therapy to help balance your hormones.
At our functional medical office, we make it a point to correct the root causes of our patient's problems. We don't treat symptoms - but we do use them to figure out the underlying issues you're facing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be time to consider HRT.
When you mention hormone replacement therapy, most people think the treatment is exclusively for females going through menopause. While that's partially true - HRT can relieve night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopause-related problems - men also deal with imbalanced hormones.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
When your sleep patterns change - like when you have trouble falling or staying asleep - it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Testosterone is involved in regulating the sleep cycle, and insufficient levels of it can disrupt quality rest.
Imbalances in hormones can affect mental health and mood. If a man shows signs of irritability, mood swings, or depression, it could indicate low testosterone or other hormonal issues. Hormone replacement therapy can help regulate mood by balancing your hormone levels.
Menopause happens when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a result of declining sex hormone levels, causing the ovaries to stop releasing egg cells. During menopause, women face a range of challenges.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common sign that women are nearing menopause, and their hormone levels may be shifting. The frequency of their periods may increase or decrease, and the amount of bleeding could be more or less than usual, while also lasting for a shorter or longer time.
Hot flashes are perhaps the most well-known symptom of menopause and a frequent sign that a woman's hormones are imbalanced. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth and sweating that are usually most intense on your face, neck, and chest.
Don't let hormone imbalances dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your balance, energy, and vitality. By working together with Dr. Oberg and her team, you can unlock the path to a healthier, more harmonious you.
When you choose Dr. Oberg as your naturopathic doctor in Solana Beach, CA, a new world of healthy living and wellness options are at your disposal. One of the most popular and effective ways to give your body the goodness it needs is with custom IV therapy at our functional medicine office.
Customized IV therapy from Dr. Oberg is all about tailoring your treatment to meet your health goals and needs. Unlike one-size-fits-all IV clinics, our team considers factors like nutrient deficiencies, hydration levels, and overall health to create a customized infusion. This personalized approach gives you better and more applicable results, whether you're looking to get a boost of energy, fortify your immune system, or get relief from a specific ailment.
Your custom IV therapy begins with a consultation with Dr. Oberg. During your initial meeting, we’ll get a better sense of what your brain and body needs. From there, we’ll create a custom infusion for you – not just a formula that matches your height, weight, and age.
Our IV drip therapy menu includes infusions such as:
IV therapy is considered one of the best ways to get the nutrients and immune-boosting goodness your body needs because it gives you a more direct, efficient means of delivery. Unlike oral supplement, which often falls short due to digestive limitations, IV therapy ensures swift and comprehensive nutrient absorption. Some of the biggest benefits of IV therapy from a functional medicine doctor in Solana Beach, CA include the following:
IV fluids and electrolytes rapidly hydrate your body, providing an efficient remedy for dehydration resulting from illness, physical activity, or excessive alcohol intake.
IV treatment is able to increase energy and fight tiredness, which can make you feel re-energized.
IV infusions containing immune-enhancing vitamins and antioxidants can fortify your immune system and assist in recovering from illness.
IV therapy containing growth factors, exosomes, and vitamins is effective in improving the health and appearance of the skin and hair. These components complement hair and facial microneedling treatments exceptionally well.
IV therapy can help reduce the symptoms of toxic exposure, like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dehydration, whether it's from a basic hangover or prolonged exposure to molds, heavy metals, or other toxins.
Dr. Oberg’s personalized IV infusions can serve as an initial boost for making lifestyle changes and play a role in a sustained plan to control persistent conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, and others.
Support Mitochondria function and Anti-aging
Dr. Oberg offers carefully sourced and research backed regenerative therapies such as exosome and stem cell infusions. These can be powerful options for people recovering from chronic infections such as long COVID or Epstein Barr or Lyme. They are also powerful for neuro-regeneration and we frequently use them in stroke recovery and for traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Oberg offers personalized IV micronutrient therapy tailored to address specific nutritional deficiencies, hydration needs, and overall health. This therapy is based on advanced testing that evaluates your cells' nutrient levels. Whether you need more energy, a stronger immune system, or relief from different health issues, IV drip therapy can be customized to help you rediscover the very best version of yourself.
As we get older, our bodies experience a range of changes that affect our health and appearance. These changes are primarily caused by issues with mitochondria and cellular aging. However, there have been significant developments in regenerative medicine, offering the potential to turn back the hands of time and improve health. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Oberg to begin your journey with regenerative medicine.
Regenerative medicine is an exciting, innovative field that centers on activating your body's innate regenerative abilities to repair and revitalize tissues, cells, and organs. Its focus is on improving your body's natural healing processes to counteract the impacts of aging and different health issues. If you find that old, nagging injuries won’t go away or that fine lines and wrinkles have become overwhelming, anti-aging medicine from a functional medicine doctor in Solana Beach, CA may be perfect for you.
At our naturopathic medical office, we use treatments like IV therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and Peptide Therapy to manage a broad array of health and aesthetic concerns. These treatments can aid in tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and enhancement of cellular function.
Anti-aging services offered at our functional medicine clinic include the following:
Peptides are fundamental components of proteins and play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as the aging process. Dr. Oberg offers peptide treatments to help counteract age-related decline, enhance muscle growth and performance, improve skin health, and more.
When you bring your hormones back into balance, you can fight back against issues such as fatigue, mood swings, reduced libido, and even erectile dysfunction.
Replenish vital nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration for improved energy levels, skin health, and immune support.
Exosomes are tiny vesicles generated from mesenchymal stem cells. These vesicles serve as powerful communicators, transmitting signals to various tissues in the body. Their main function is to trigger healing, regeneration, and repair processes, mimicking the actions of younger cells. They are considered to be one of the most effective strategies for combating the aging process.
When nutrition guidance, lifestyle adaptations, and powerful supplements are combined with naturopathic medical therapies from Dr. Oberg, you can reverse chronic diseases in your life and reach your anti-aging goals.
Our goal with regenerative medicine treatments is to rejuvenate deteriorating or aging tissue. Our approach to treatment centers on fixing and reversing damage instead of solely addressing symptoms like pain. Regenerative medicine harnesses the power of healthy cells to renew and restore function by enhancing the body's innate capacity for self-healing.
Dr. Oberg uses regenerative medicine to treat a range of issues, both aesthetic and injury-related, including the following:
Experience the future of anti-aging and regenerative medicine with Dr. Erica Oberg. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on your journey to a healthier, more youthful you.
When you visit our functional medicine clinic, you can rest easy knowing Dr. Erica Oberg uses her unique skills, knowledge, and naturopathic principles for the betterment of your health and well-being. Unlike many traditional primary care providers, our team combines the best aspects of traditional wisdom and modern scientific medicine to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic diseases.
You don't have to worry about us suggesting addictive pain medications or treatments that simply mask your aesthetic or medical challenges. Instead, our goal is to address the underlying factors holding you back. If you're ready to take the first step toward purposeful progress and healthy living, contact us today.
Change is hard, especially after 32 years. California Pizza Kitchen has been a stalwart spot on South Highway 101 since 1992 and will close up shop at the end of this week for good.But Solana Beach goers need not lament for too long. A new concept called Lana is coming to the beachside location ...
Change is hard, especially after 32 years. California Pizza Kitchen has been a stalwart spot on South Highway 101 since 1992 and will close up shop at the end of this week for good.
But Solana Beach goers need not lament for too long. A new concept called Lana is coming to the beachside location in February 2025. (Lana, So-LANA… get it?)
Mark Wheadon and Travis LeGrand are the partners behind Lana. Locally, LeGrand has worked at The Marine Room, Waypoint Public, Herringbone, and Oceanaire, while Wheadon (who also is a Level 2 Sommelier) has worked for Robert Redford, the Tree Room at Sundance Resort, The Avalon in Beverly Hills, Ruth’s Chris, The Riverhorse in Park City, and Crescent Heights in San Diego. LeGrand will serve as the restaurant’s general manager while Wheadon will oversee wine and beverage operations.
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The menu will focus on local and coastal cuisine, with influences from Southern California, Baja California, and Asia. “Lana will provide an upscale yet approachable dining experience for dinner and weekend brunch service,” says Wheadon, adding they’re still searching for a chef.
Megan Power at Workind Studio (formerly of Basile Studio) is handling the design of the space, which Wheadon says will be “coastal vintage-luxe setting” utilizing clean lines and a “wow factor” that’s lively, but comfortable for guests to feel fully immersed in the space. Power is also behind the design for both the upcoming Puffer Malarkey Collective restaurant Le Coq, and 31Thirtyone by Drew Deckman.
Having lived in Solana Beach for 10 years, Wheadon feels it’s the ideal location to open a “true neighborhood place.” But above all, he wants to provide a respite from the busyness of life. “Our goal is to make each guest feel consummately taken care of, so they can leave the stress of their day at the door,” he says.
Lana will land at 437 South Highway 101 in February 2025.
Once home to Cucina Sorella and Kensington Grill, 4055 Adams Avenue is now Trattoria Da Sofia, an Italian eatery open daily from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The minds behind the trattoria come from Sicily, Mexico City, and San Diego, and have put together a menu that includes favorites like bruschetta, lasagna, beef carpaccio, spaghetti al pomodoro, and plenty of wine and cocktails.
Known for its tableside cheese wheel pasta, Aromi is expanding to the suite next door to add Pizza by Aromi sometime during summer 2024. Expect more Sicilian-inspired plates, wood-fired pizzas, and cheese imported straight from Italy.
First came Encinitas, then Gaslamp, and now Pacific Beach. Union Kitchen & Tap opened its third location on March 26 on Garnet Avenue, slinging the same faves like shrimp and grits, Molly’s homemade carrot cake, and, of course, brunch classics like chicken and waffles and their short rib breakfast burrito.
Leonardo Landini of Landini’s Pizzeria also plans to bring another concept to PB at 1520 Garnet Avenue, tentatively named Chaparral, later this year.
North Park’s The Seventh House is closed for remodeling, a.k.a. transforming into Cacio e Pepe Trattoria Romana (yes, it’s the third Italian concept I mentioned today) and a new speakeasy. It’s opening tomorrow. Surprise!
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to food@sdmag.com.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
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A long-awaited project to restore the beaches along Solana Beach's coastline has been completed, nearly doubling the size of the strand in the coastal community.The Solana Beach and Encinitas Coastal Storm Damage and Reduction & Beach Replenishment project began in mid-January and wrapped up recently. Crews have headed north now to Encinitas, where a local official says they will be busy for the next 60 days or so working on an approximate...
A long-awaited project to restore the beaches along Solana Beach's coastline has been completed, nearly doubling the size of the strand in the coastal community.
The Solana Beach and Encinitas Coastal Storm Damage and Reduction & Beach Replenishment project began in mid-January and wrapped up recently. Crews have headed north now to Encinitas, where a local official says they will be busy for the next 60 days or so working on an approximately 1.5-mile stretch from Swami's to just south of Beacon Beach.
Dan King, who is the interim city manager for Solana Beach, said on Friday that the crews replenished about 700,000 cubic yards of sand along a 7,000-foot stretch of the strand, nearly doubling the width of the beach, which had been about just 75 feet from bluff to the water's edge.
This project began in 2000 when Solana Beach asked for help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to improve the shoreline. The permitting, research and environmental review process took decades. The tall bluffs lining the beach were sloughing off and collapsing at some points. The completion of the project is expected to protect the bluffs from further erosion.
It is a joint-effort between the city of Solana Beach, Encinitas and USACE. It aims to “widen the beach to reduce beach erosion and restore the natural protective buffer between critical infrastructure and the ocean, while simultaneously increasing recreational area along the shoreline for beachgoers," according to the project's webpage.
Mayor Lesa Heebner told NBC 7 in January that sand was being dredged from “just outside of the wave line of the San Diego River,” then brought back to Solana Beach by boat, transported through large pipes and sprayed onto shore and smoothed out by bulldozers.
“This is a 50-year project,” Heebner said at the time. “So, we have been authorized over a period of 50 years. The city of Solana Beach will have renourishment every 10 years, if we find the money.”
The overall cost of the project is slated to be $16 million. According to the city of Solana Beach’s website, it is 65% funded by the federal government and 35% by the city of Solana Beach and Encinitas, with help from California State Parks.
Beachgoers in Encinitas are being warned about:
For more information on the project, click here.
From the hubbub of Gaslamp to beachside serenity—Rustic Root is growing up and out of its original downtown location. Coming this July, Rustic Root will open their second restaurant at 343 S. Highway 101, Suite 100 in Solana Beach as part of the new mixed-use Sand Box development that will include retail, restaurants, and apartments. The new eatery will span 3,273 square feet of indoor spa...
From the hubbub of Gaslamp to beachside serenity—Rustic Root is growing up and out of its original downtown location. Coming this July, Rustic Root will open their second restaurant at 343 S. Highway 101, Suite 100 in Solana Beach as part of the new mixed-use Sand Box development that will include retail, restaurants, and apartments. The new eatery will span 3,273 square feet of indoor space, plus a 923-square-foot patio instead of a have a rooftop patio. The design team Davis Ink and architect Arch5 Design Studio worked together to create the signature Rustic Root vibe with a Solana Beach spin—think more crashing waves than honking cars.
The original location opened in the Gaslamp in 2015, featuring elevated comfort food fare like their Texas-style smoked ribeye, firecracker shrimp, and homestyle butter biscuits with maple pecan and charred jalapeño butter. The downtown culinary team will help bring the same regional and local cuisine to the new location, as well as an elevated cocktail program with classics like margaritas as well as signature cocktails like A Lover’s Flannel with cucumber and mint-infused Absolut, strawberry syrup, lemon, and egg white.
Finding a new location took a while, says RMD Group partner Mike Georgopoulos. “We’ve been looking in this area for some time, hoping the perfect place would open up, so once we found an opportunity, we jumped on it,” says Georgopoulos. “The small-town feel and tight-knit community make it the perfect spot for our restaurant… We know Solana Beach locals will love the casual yet energetic feel of the atmosphere, as well as the classic yet creative take on comfort food and cocktails.”
He adds they hope to offer live music at the Solana Beach location if permits allow, and promises to bring the same Rustic Root experience to a brand new neighborhood. “I know this town well after living in North County and spending time in the area with my family,” he says. “Solana Beach is the perfect spot.”
Once open this summer, the Solana Beach location will be open for dinner seven days a week from 4 p.m. to close, and open for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
I’m nothing if not a total dumpling fiend, so news of a new dumpling restaurant always piques my interest. The Orange County favorite Bafang Dumpling opened this weekend at 9690 Reagan Road in Mira Mesa, bringing Taiwanese favorites like potstickers, spicy noodles, Taiwanese soup, and much more to San Diego for the first time. You can even pick up frozen dumplings to make at home (with or without meat). Bafang is in the midst of an aggressive expansion across Southern California, so are more locations on the horizon? My stomach prays it is so.
I may or may not have hungrily DM’ed the Shawarma Guys‘ Instagram account in November 2022 for an update on their first brick-and-mortar location that they announced in May of that year. Finally, that update and that restaurant are finally here at 5525 Jackson Drive, Suite B in La Mesa. Long operating out of a truck in a parking lot in South Park, Shawarma Guys earned national recognition on Guy Fieri’s show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives after being named #1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2020. Their menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes includes favorites like their Wagyu beef shawarma, lemon cream chop fries, California shawarma wrap (yes, it’s like a California burrito, but better), fattoush salad, and even vegan shawarma and falafel. Run, don’t walk, and get a side of garlic paste.
Better late than never—I finally got to check out the crab corn doughnut at Quixote, the Oaxacan-inspired mezcalería inside the old Red Fox Room location attached to the LaFayette Hotel. What can I say? It was worth the wait and $21.
Lion dancing, duck fat fries, and perhaps a visit to the apothecary—everything I love is happening at Common Theory this Friday starting at 8:30 pm. Won’t you come feed the lions with me to celebrate Lunar New Year?
I have it on good authority that the fish tacos at Mariscos Mar Y Tierra in Chula Vista are massive, both in size and deliciousness. Can someone please confirm/deny?
Have you planned your Super Bowl menu yet? There’s still time to order what I consider to be some of the best party wings in town—Wei Wei Asian Express’ salt and pepper wings. $66 gets you 50 pieces of the savory, garlicky, lip-smackingly crispy wings that will definitely make you the hero of the party. Honestly, they didn’t pay me for this. The wings are just that legit.
A long-awaited project to restore the beaches along Solana Beach and Encinitas’ coastline has officially started.It is called the Solana Beach and Encinitas Coastal Storm Damage and Reduction & Beach Replenishment project. It began on Wednesday with the closure of the Fletcher Cove parking lot, the nearby overlook — both of which have reopened — and the public beach access ramp.“The overall project in Solana ...
A long-awaited project to restore the beaches along Solana Beach and Encinitas’ coastline has officially started.
It is called the Solana Beach and Encinitas Coastal Storm Damage and Reduction & Beach Replenishment project. It began on Wednesday with the closure of the Fletcher Cove parking lot, the nearby overlook — both of which have reopened — and the public beach access ramp.
“The overall project in Solana Beach is expected to be done in 45 to 60 days,” Lesa Heebner, the mayor of Solana Beach, told NBC 7. “It’s worth the wait. You’re going to have a very nice, wide, sandy beach come this spring.”
This project began in 2000 when Solana Beach asked for help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to improve the shoreline. The permitting, research and environmental review process took decades.
“What we have now in Solana Beach, our beaches are lined with very tall bluffs, most of which are, unfortunately, sloughing off and sometimes even failing. So, this sand will help protect the bluffs from the wave action,” Heebner said.
It is a joint-effort between the city of Solana Beach, Encinitas and USACE. It aims to “widen the beach to reduce beach erosion and restore the natural protective buffer between critical infrastructure and the ocean, while simultaneously increasing recreational area along the shoreline for beachgoers," according to the project's webpage.
Heebner explained the beach is going to be nearly doubled in size, going from roughly 75-ft. wide to 150-ft. Sand is being dredged from “just outside of the wave line of the San Diego River” then brought back to Solana Beach by boat, transported through large pipes and sprayed onto shore and smoothed out by bulldozers.
“This is a 50-year project,” Heebner said. “So, we have been authorized over a period of 50 years. The city of Solana Beach will have renourishment every ten years, if we find the money.”
The overall cost of the project is slated to be $16 million. According to the city of Solana Beach’s website, it is 65% funded by the federal government and 35% by the city of Solana Beach and Encinitas with help from California State Parks.
According to Heebner, construction will happen seven days each week, rain or shine, until completion in Solana Beach, then the crews will move north to Encinitas.
The city is warning that during that time, there may be more:
For more information on the project, click here.
The Hives rocked the Belly Up Tavern with an unrelenting garage rock attack, supported by Kate Clover’s electrifying opening set.In a sonic storm that swept through the intimate confines of the Belly Up Tavern, Swedish garage-rock maestros The Hives delivered a relentless performance that left the audience in the tiny club wrapt and at the edge of exhilaration. Supported by the equally dynamic Kate Clover, the night unfolded as an ear-shattering testament to the enduring power of raw, unbridled ...
The Hives rocked the Belly Up Tavern with an unrelenting garage rock attack, supported by Kate Clover’s electrifying opening set.
In a sonic storm that swept through the intimate confines of the Belly Up Tavern, Swedish garage-rock maestros The Hives delivered a relentless performance that left the audience in the tiny club wrapt and at the edge of exhilaration. Supported by the equally dynamic Kate Clover, the night unfolded as an ear-shattering testament to the enduring power of raw, unbridled rock ‘n’ roll.
Kate Clover, a rising force in the alternative rock scene, set the stage ablaze with her opening act. The sharply dressed quartet with frontwoman, Clover, commanded the spotlight with a blend of punk-infused riffs and a magnetic stage presence, wasted no time breaking the ice, and went hard wire-to-wire from the opening note to the last instrument-dropping note. Her raspy vocals cut through the air like a serrated blade, adding an extra edge to her guitar-driven melodies. With tracks like “Channel Zero” and “Love You to Death,” Clover’s set served as a fitting prelude to the high-octane sonic assault that was about to unfold.
As The Hives took the stage, they left no doubt as to why they were there. This tour is in support of their new album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. From the opening notes of “Bogus Operandi,” The Hives put the hammer down and did not let off the gas until the final notes of the “Tick Tick Boom.” Decked out in their traditional black-and-white attire, only now with custom glow-in-the-dark trim, the band launched into their set with the precision of a well-oiled machine. Frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, a charismatic dynamo, led the charge with his electrifying stage presence, engaging the audience with a combination of swagger and infectious energy.
The setlist, a carefully curated selection of classics and newer material, showcased The Hives’ ability to craft anthems that resonate across generations. “Hate To Say I Told You So” and “Tick Tick Boom” elicited raucous singalongs, while tracks from their latest album demonstrated that the band hasn’t lost an ounce of their edge over the years. The seamless transitions between songs kept the momentum at a fever pitch, creating a sonic rollercoaster that had the crowd in a perpetual state of frenzy. The one-hour set seemingly the perfect amount of time to release a frenzy of energy without wearing out the audience.
Guitarists Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem unleashed a barrage of fast and furious riffs, their guitars serving as a unified sonic weapon that punctuated each song with a staccato ferocious intensity. The rhythm section, comprised of bassist Chris Dangerous and drummer Chris Dangerous, laid down a foundation of pulsating beats that reverberated through the venue, ensuring that the audience was engulfed in a sonic onslaught from every angle in the intimate confines of the Belly Up.
What set this performance apart was the band’s ability to establish an intimate connection with the audience. Almqvist’s banter between songs felt like a conversation with old friends, infusing the set with a sense of camaraderie and unbridled joy. As if you were at the neighborhood Friday night keg party. The intimacy Pelle and the band created transcended the typical performer-audience dynamic. The charismatic frontman’s interactions were both humorous and heartfelt, adding a personal touch to the sonic spectacle. The show gave a vibe of as if you were at a friend’s garage or backyard party.
The lighting design, a mesmerizing dance of strobe and shadows, enhanced the overall experience. As the stark white stage lights pulsated in sync with the music, the atmosphere became charged with an electric energy that mirrored the band’s fervor. The intimate setting of the Belly Up Tavern amplified this sensory immersion, creating an unforgettable sonic landscape that enveloped the audience.
The Hives’ performance at the Belly Up Tavern, supported by the electrifying Kate Clover, was nothing short of a stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll revival. From the opening chords to the final encore, the evening was a masterclass in musical intensity, proving that, decades into their career, The Hives are still a force to be reckoned with. This was not just a concert; it was a sonic baptism blasting through even the best ear protection. The Hives are a reminder of the enduring power of live music to captivate and transport audiences into the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.
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