Alison Wonderland Delivered Her Most Dynamic Performance Yet in San Diego

2 weeks ago 18

Alison Wonderland kicked off the Ghost World tour in style by taking over the SOMA main stage during her electrifying return to San Diego.

For over ten years, Alison Wonderland has climbed and cemented her place in the scene. Through her signature trap-fueled sound and her own vocals, to opening her sets by playing the cello, collaborating with artists outside the dance music space, and always evolving her music, each choice she makes in her career is an intentional one.

Her latest album, Ghost World, reflects this concept well, as each track writes its own story. Her authenticity and creative drive are on full display as she dabbles in a multitude of genres. The 14-track compilation is her most diverse endeavor yet, seeing the Australian producer team up with Ninajirachi, MEMBA, QUIX, Erick the Architect, and DJ_Dave to elevate a range of musical styles. The album speaks to her wanting to create her own universe set apart from industry molds, and those who are curious are welcome to step inside.

Complementing her latest body of work is the Ghost World tour, with a San Diego date on February 27 at SOMA being the first stop. The last time she played in San Diego was only a few months ago, as she was the surprise headliner for Block Party’s free event at Fit Social, drawing a massive crowd not only in the venue, but on the surrounding beach as well. Since I missed this and saw how insane the set was, I knew I had to catch her when she touched down in SD again.

SOMA was an ideal, intimate location fit for the show, and the venue was packed with fans eager to hear her play.

SOMA was the venue for my very first “rave” back in 2015, so returning there holds nostalgia for me. The venue’s parking lot right out front is incredibly small; however, there is overflow parking right next door at the Sports Arena on the side that borders the venue. My group and I easily found a spot there, and it was a very close walk to the entrance. We were met with a long line at the door; however, it moved fast.

I opted to grab some merch when we arrived, and I was impressed with the options designed for the tour. The temperature inside the venue was definitely toasty, and drink lines were long. Fans who have been to SOMA in recent years know to expect this, though. Still, it was an intimate venue and a San Diego staple fit to host an intimate evening with Alison Wonderland.

After catching a dose of trap from opener Wink, Alison Wonderland graced the stage, appearing almost ghost-like among the fog.

Once she hopped on the decks, the energy in the room went full throttle. As expected, Alison Wonderland played a plethora of songs from Ghost World, with the show reflecting the album’s BPM shifts. She seamlessly flowed through Ghost World‘s versatile tracks, with releases like “Get Started” and “PSYCHO” hyping up the crowd, as songs like “iwannaliveinadream” and “Everything Comes In Waves” embraced a change in pace.

Other crowd favorites included pop-infused releases by the artist, such as her collab with Ninajirachi, “Heaven,” and “Floating Away.” She also catered to a former generation of ravers, like myself, who started listening to her a decade ago. To satiate our cravings, she delved deep into her repertoire, playing other iconic hits like “Good Enough,” “I Want U,” “Church,” and “Lost My Mind” with Dillon Francis.

It was a night of versatility as the tone shifted across many EDM subgenres, all coming together into a perfect blend of sounds.

From fast-paced techno to trap and drum and bass, this was the most dynamic musical performance that I’ve seen from Alison Wonderland. The night also ended on an emotional note, as visuals of her dog of 14 years, Molly, who recently passed, were displayed on screen. In a subsequent Instagram post, she stated how overwhelmed she felt at the sight, yet the crowd ultimately supported her through her tears, arms raised. It was a powerful moment, one where the whole room felt connected as the show came to a close.

Alison Wonderland’s Ghost World tour kickoff was everything I thought it’d be and more. I appreciated not just hearing the new album but also being transported to a younger version of myself through her other classics. Ghost World is a reflection of the artist’s confidence and wide range of production capabilities, and she surely pulled out all stops to deliver a set that won’t soon be forgotten. If the tour is touching down in your city, make it a point to secure your tickets early.