Concert Review: Marlon Funaki brought humble swagger to Atlanta on Tuesday.

Marlon Funaki in Atlanta shot by Mary Beth Bryan

The fact that it was a Tuesday night and a place far from home didn’t stop the crowds from showing up and showing out at California-based artist Marlon Funaki’s show at Vinyl at Center Stage in Atlanta last week. I arrived early to take photos, and found a line already formed at the end of the block. 

Despite only being 23, Funaki’s been releasing music for five years already, slowly building up a dedicated fanbase along the way. It became clear pretty quickly why his live show in particular drew in such a crowd. Funaki’s songs seem to find even more momentum live than on their official recordings, whether that energy be channeled through hazy psychedelia or fast-paced indie surf-rock. The bandmates (Reggie Ordonez on drums, Jared Costa on guitar and keys, and Jonathan Gaytan on bass) have incredible synchronicity with one another, and you get the sense that Funaki values their presence as much as his own. They continuously locked in with one another on stage during fully instrumental parts, leaning down into hunched positions and watching each other closely as they played their respective instruments. 

Marlon Funaki in Atlanta shot by Mary Beth Bryan

Funaki’s vocal performance was strong and pitch perfect, and he has an undeniable Western swagger about him. Thick silver rings shined up half his fingers, his red cowboy boots matched an ornate rug laid out onstage, and a white cowboy hat caught the stage lights with every turn. Every time I glanced back into the crowd, I saw either grinning faces or people with their eyes closed serenely swaying to the music. His setlist hit all the main points, from the tracks on his newest EP, Overdue, to the biggest hits from his debut album Monterey Village, to the very first song he ever released.

Despite his coolness, Funaki was outwardly grateful to be there. His smile beamed as he looked into the crowd, at times humbly removing his hat to thank the audience. After the show, he bent down to speak with and sign items for fans in the front row. He seems to be as solid a guy as he is a performer.