The Tragics and Snow — The Cobalt Presents / Audioeclectica at Hotel Ziggy – Live Review
The Tragics
The Tragics and Snow — The Cobalt Presents / Audioeclectica at Hotel Ziggy, February 28, 2026
Hollywood was overflowing with live music on the night of February 28th. The Hotel Café hosted an early set from actress–singer/songwriter Rebecca Pidgeon, while the Whisky a Go Go prepared for a late-night appearance by the legendary Strawberry Alarm Clock. In between, the powerhouse team of The Cobalt Presents and Audioeclectica assembled some of the most exciting emerging bands from across Los Angeles—headlined by The Tragics and Snow—at the always-buzzing Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood. If too much of a good thing is wonderful, this particular Saturday proved just how glorious the L.A. music scene can be at full tilt.
SNOW
SNOWI hadn’t even planned to cover Snow. I walked into Hotel Ziggy just as their set began, and their shimmering collision of shoegaze, grunge, and alt‑rock was already spilling through the entrance. Within seconds, it was clear I’d stumbled into something special—a young band playing with confidence, imagination, and a surprising amount of emotional weight.
Snow opened with the dreamy glow of Goodbye before sliding into the vibrant pulse of Plastic Ring. Their cover of New York, I Love You was solid, but their originals easily outshined it. Tracks like Dream For Us, Ardor Drift, and Disappear revealed a band with a strong sense of atmosphere and a knack for melodies that linger long after the final note.
Frontman/guitarist Sebastian Nesh is a magnetic presence—his vocals expressive, his guitar work textured and evocative. Asher Clark adds striking guitar layers, while Indie Bickle anchors everything with a fluid, dynamic low end and strong backing vocals. Drummer Joseph Conway drives the entire sound skyward with sharp, inspired percussion. Guest musician Josiah Lands joined for a few songs, adding even more depth to their already immersive sound.
They closed with Reverie, leaving the room buzzing and clearly wanting more. Snow doesn’t have any recordings out yet, but if they continue delivering performances this focused and spellbinding, the L.A. scene won’t overlook them for long. Highwire Daze will definitely be catching them again. Upcoming shows include The Woodbridge and Bounce House on March 6th and Bands Off Our Bodies on March 7th.
THE TRAGICS
THE TRAGICSThe band I was scheduled to cover—Hollywood’s own The Tragics—hit the stage and immediately tore the room apart in the best possible way. Their set was a swaggering, high‑voltage blast of attitude, sleaze, and star power, channeling the Sunset Strip’s late‑’80s/early‑’90s glory days with a fresh, ferocious edge. The room was packed, and The Tragics made it obvious why they’re one of the most compelling underground bands in Los Angeles right now.
Fans of Hanoi Rocks and The Stooges will feel right at home in The Tragics’ world. The band ripped through tracks from their new Love Loaded EP—short, explosive bursts of glam‑punk energy delivered with absolute conviction. The teased hair and leather weren’t just aesthetic; they matched the raw, unfiltered electricity pouring off the stage.
Frontman Sebastian is a force—charismatic, unpredictable, and impossible to look away from. His brother Julian holds down the low end with equal swagger, locking in with a cool confidence that perfectly complements the chaos up front. New guitarist Brody McGroarty fits the lineup seamlessly, shredding with precision and attitude. And drummer Levi Dokus keeps the whole thing roaring forward, hammering the kit into overdrive.
Their blistering cover of The Stooges’ Search and Destroy was a highlight—an ideal match for their feral energy and punk‑soaked personality. The crowd spanned multiple generations, proving that The Tragics’ brand of rock ’n’ roll is as timeless as it is thrilling.
Catch The Tragics at The Smell on March 7th, and keep an eye out for an upcoming Highwire Daze interview with the band.
(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)
