Joshua Benard: We Found New Music at Hotel Ziggy – Live Review

Joshua Benard – We Found New Music at Hotel Ziggy, West Hollywood, CA – February 25, 2026

The We Found New Music series at Hotel Ziggy continues to be one of the Sunset Strip’s most reliable showcases for rising talent, and the February 25th edition marked a particularly special moment: the live debut of singer‑songwriter Joshua Benard. Known to many for his work on General Hospital, where he appears alongside his father Maurice Benard (the iconic Sonny Corinthos), Joshua stepped onto the Ziggy stage ready to carve out an artistic identity entirely his own. By the end of the night, it was clear he had done exactly that.

Joshua opened the night alone onstage, performing his Spotify single Ladybug with just his guitar. The stripped‑down arrangement gave the song an intimate, immediate pull, drawing the room in from the very first notes. As the applause settled, his band—Ash, Alex, Tony, and Nills—joined him for the proceeding Wherever You Are and IDWMY, adding depth and drive to the set. Each track carried the same melodic pop sensibility infused with sincerity, heart, and a surprising level of emotional nuance for such a young performer. Joshua’s voice—warm, textured, and effortlessly expressive—gave each song lift, while his band added color and dimension that made the performance feel fully realized rather than “first‑show tentative.”

One of the standout moments of the night was In My 70’s, a reflective, Beatles‑tinged piece that found Joshua looking far ahead with both curiosity and optimism. It was a clever, unexpectedly poignant highlight that showcased his ability to blend youthful perspective with classic pop influences. Closing out the set was his upcoming single Defined, a confident, hook‑forward track that hinted at an artist stepping boldly into his creative stride.

Curated by Grant Owens, We Found New Music remains one of Los Angeles’ most dependable platforms for discovering emerging artists, and Joshua Benard’s debut exemplified exactly why these shows matter. Watching a new performer lay their heart on the line—and succeed with such clarity and conviction—is the kind of moment that keeps audiences returning to Hotel Ziggy and Bar Lubitsch week after week.

Expect to hear much more from Joshua in the days ahead. His talent, drive, and authenticity suggest this is only the beginning—and an interview with him will be featured soon at Highwire Daze Online.

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

Joshua Benard at Instagram
We Found New Music at Instagram