LIVE REVIEW: Little Image at Resonant Head in Oklahoma City, OK on September 26, 2023
Little Image performs their debut album “SELF TITLED” at Resonant Head in Oklahoma City, OK.
Photos and Review by: Daniel Merlino
Author’s Instagram: merlinofotografia
Lineup: Levi Evans, Hastings, Little Image
Date: September 26, 2023
Location: Resonant head, Oklahoma City, OK
Little Image
MY FIRST TIME seeing Little Image was back in March of this year. I reached back into my writing submissions from the last coverage, I was curious how six months would affect or influence their live show. On my last review I described the sense of reflection while listening to their music and lyrics. I stated that punk rock bands “helped mold my ideas of politics and society. Punk rock taught me to question authority and find my own way. […] Their [Little Image] songs carry tones of love, self-reflection, and managing your way through today’s societal climate. Although not the same genre or sound, the message is strong, positive, and necessary. And in my book, that is punk rock. Strike that—that is Little Image.”
On a Tuesday evening, Little Image was ending this leg of their current tour in Oklahoma City at Resonant Head. Supported by Levi Evans and Hastings, the entire night was mellow, yet powerful and filled with hope. I can’t begin to describe how ecstatic it feels to see the next generation not only enjoying music, but supporting newer bands and artists live. Particularly for bands that provide a truly unique live experience. Levi Evans convinced the crowd into motion with sweet melodies and emotional lyrics. Hastings performed with a live drummer who was phenomenal, adding interesting dynamics and rhythms to the music.
Stage presence, similar to what I experienced last time, is second to none among their peers. It’s no contest. I wish more bands would take some notes and invest more energy and strategy into their live performance. Every member of Little Image plays multiple instruments, even switching mid-song at times. Vocalist, Jackson Simmons, belted at the top of his lungs while standing on Troy Bruner’s bass drum. Troy stepped out from his drum set with three-piece Rototoms and an extra snare drum. He gave the drums to the front-row audience to hold as he positioned them in the air and played his heart out while Jackson took over the drum set duties. Brandon Walters switched between guitar, bass, and synthesizers with ease and poise. They also asked the crowd to kneel really low during a specific section towards the end of their set, priming them to jump as high as possible during the drop. Everyone single person obliged, even me; although jumping and photographing do not mix, the blurry and random snaps were worth the memory and fun.
All in all, I would say that Little Image keeps getting better and is a force to be reckoned with, one that I hope keeps gaining traction and exposure. Please do not stop progressing and driving such high-energy stage performances. Regardless of assignment, I will always go see Little Image and I look forward to following them along their path, wherever it may lead them. I wish them luck and safety.
Little Image have been touring on their debut album, SELF TITLED, and earning a top 10 spot at Alternative Radio for their single, “Out of My Mind.” With 12.3 million overall combined streams and receiving nearly half a million streams every week, they have been named an iHeart “On the Verge” Artists to Watch.
