By: Ella Scimeca
CHICAGO– DAIISTAR performed spectacularly on Thursday, May 1st, at Lincoln Hall. An intimate venue on Lincoln Ave, a short walk from DePaul’s Campus. DAIISTAR’s members had a mysterious and alluring presence, with a rebellious sound that made you wanna let yourself loose. An undeniable indie rock wave you could ride on, DAIISTAR was hypnotizing. The lights shone brightly through the different color combinations of pink, green, and purple. With the ending being a white light with a heavy cloud of fog, it was a heavenly moment with their soft vocals, slow vibration, and silhouette outlined above.
DAIISTAR is an alt-indie band from Austin, Texas. Inspired by the Neo-psychedelic era of the 80s and 90s. DAIISTAR was formed in 2020 during COVID, a group of friends who met through the music scene and decided to rock out with one another. DAIISTAR released their first few singles and EPs in 2023, and by that September they released their first album “Good Times,” which was a hit. Since then, they have released a few more singles in 2024, which hopefully means another album release is in the works.
To the far right of the stage was DAIISTAR’s drummer, Nick Cornetti, who seemed to be the Tommy Lee of the band. He was full of enthusiasm with a nonstop smile, banging his head and killing it on the drumset. DAIISTAR was opening up for the band L.A. Witches. Their drummer, Ellie English, being a special guest, joined DAIISTAR in playing percussion with the tambourine for a portion of the performance. Right center stage was bassist, Misti Hamrick. She was a force to be reckoned with. Hamrick stood powerfully on stage in all black with her long dark hair and bangs covering her face, giving her an ominous aura. Hamrick played intensely, zoned in effortlessly with her meticulous plucking. The light hit her guitar as if it were Heathen’s gate.
Left center stage was Alex Capistran, the lead singer and guitarist of the band. He wore sunglasses the entire time while dressed in all black, adding to DAIISTAR’s mystique. The band’s music genre is diverse, with songs that feel soft and breezy, full of emotion, with freedom on the horizon, or having already reached it. All the energy he expels perfectly, in which you become immersed in his voice and their sound. To the far left was DAIISTAR’s keyboardist Derek Strahan, whom I actually got to meet up front while entering the venue. Strahan played the keys like no one was watching. Aura was through the roof with his synthesizing, bringing the band’s neo-psychedelic vibe together.
DAIISTAR’s performance was a trip and a ride I didn’t want to get off. Their chill indie vibe with a bit of spiritual enlightenment can make anyone wanna groove. This is DAIISTAR’s second U.S tour, fourth worldwide after being signed by a London record company, “Fuzz Club Records.” DAIISTAR’s tour will continue up the east coast, going south, ending in New Mexico on May 25th, including Los Angeles on May 23rd.
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