2022/04/07: Looking back at Epik High @ Soma & Coachella Stream

My friends Simon, Joe, and I jokingly asked ourselves back in May 2015 if we were down to go see Epik High at the Wiltern Theatre. We were living in San Diego, which meant that we would have to drive over two hours in traffic to get to Koreatown Los Angeles on a Friday evening, crossing our fingers hoping we make it on time.

The traffic was unbearably stop-and-go, and we stopped by a fast-food restaurant to not show up on an empty stomach. Fortunately, Joe didn’t mind driving, and once we got back on the road, we passed the time listening to Epik High’s hits and talking about our experiences with their music.

We parked in a desperation and ran through the admission to see Dumbfoundead on stage. Seeing him open meant that we made it on time after all, and Simon and I pounded a beer to celebrate our success (Joe did not drink). We had a blast, yelling what lyrics we collectively remembered, and swearing to get VIP the next Epik High show after struggling to see the stage from our designated standing zone. At the end of the show, we meet our friends at a bar called Gaam, and are trapped into consuming soju and beer before Joe soberly and graciously drives Simon and me back to San Diego after midnight.

That night set a precedent for our trio, and we vowed to catch Epik High whenever they visited the States. We’ve seen Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz rock it at least 2 more times since then (in San Diego fortunately, because we’re older now), and I had more fun than at Soma on April 7th:

1. In comparison to their previous two shows, the setlist this time felt more upbeat, like a rush through their biggest-feeling songs. I personally like their more sad and slower songs, but I reluctantly accept that performing them would lose the crowd — it is what it is.
2. Lost my credit card between the opener Woosung and the first few songs from Epik High. While worrying about it, I got another drink and asked the bar if they happened to have my card. Fortunately they did!
3. I saw a woman that reminded me of someone from high school. Thought I was just seeing things, but I posted on Facebook and turns out she was actually at the venue. Messaged her and was able to meet up briefly before I had to compose myself and head over to VIP. Should’ve gotten a picture…

The VIP Meet & Greet process was definitely COVID-conscious, and was designed to shuffle people in and out between flashes on a backdrop with the group. In the short amount of time, I tried to lock eyes with Tablo and express my thanks, but who knows how much I could convey over my mask.

I bought tour merch for all of us as a keepsake, and we all needed Mexican food afterwards to return to some level of sobriety. Thursday was a struggle.

Epilogue: Saw Epik High perform via Coachella stream during the 16th weekend. When comparing, our show was a bit longer and more relaxed— the group was on a tighter schedule at Indio, which makes sense. I also caught the ‘Authentic’ podcast series that covered the TaJinYo cyberbullying scandal. I felt like I related to a lot of Tablo’s upbringing, and learned quite a bit that I was not aware of about Epik High and their journey.