Lex Bauman and the Untamed Hearts at The Hotel Café – Live Review

Lex Bauman and the Untamed Hearts – The Hotel Café, Hollywood, CA – January 24, 2026

The NAMM Show 2026 had reached its conclusion, and the next stop was the heart of Hollywood to catch Lex Bauman at the legendary Hotel Café. These are the final days of this beloved venue in its current location, but for Lex Bauman, the story is only beginning. Based out of Columbus, Ohio, Lex returned to Hollywood for his second show—this time with his full band in tow. Not only would they deliver a rock‑solid performance on the Hotel Café’s side stage, but it also marked the first time the group performed under their official new banner: Lex Bauman and the Untamed Hearts.

Opening with the anthemic refrains of While We Are Young, Lex and his band immediately captured the room’s attention with a song that already feels timeless. My Girlfriend’s Best Friend followed, channeling the sleek new‑wave charm of The Cars while launching the energy even higher. The hits kept coming, with recent singles Rock ’n’ Roll Heart, So Damn Hot, and The Last Song roaring through a space typically known for its quieter, acoustic‑leaning sets.

Lex Bauman is a standout talent on guitar and vocals—one of the most promising young artists carrying classic rock’s torch into a new era. And the Untamed Hearts are a powerhouse in their own right, featuring dynamic performances from Preston French on guitar, Angelina Petticord on bass, and Jackson Daw on drums, all contributing backing vocals. Together, they lit up a Hollywood Saturday night and undoubtedly walked away with a whole new wave of fans.

“I’m a little Cheap Trick, you’re a little bit Taylor Swift,” Lex sang during Taylor Swift, a hook‑laden track that deserves to be blasting across radio stations worldwide. The crowd embraced it instantly. For the finale, Lex Bauman and the Untamed Hearts tore into a high‑octane cover of Dramarama’s Anything, Anything, an electrifying way to close out the night.

With a catalog of instantly memorable songs and a live show bursting with charisma, Lex Bauman and the Untamed Hearts are rapidly ascending toward major success. The future of classic‑inspired rock is here—and it’s sounding better than ever.

And be sure to watch for an all‑new interview with Lex Bauman coming soon to Highwire Daze Online.

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

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