Bria Salmena recently released her debut solo album, Big Dog, an emotionally-charged collection of tracks that hover between dark pop and alternative rock. Fresh off her solo album debut, Bria Salmena kicked off her US and EU tour at San Diego’s iconic Casbah, with b0dies opening for this leg of the tour.
When the flashiest item on stage is a subtle flame guitar strap, you can expect an authentic, no-frills performance to unfold. b0dies did just that, inviting the early crowd to an intimate performance that felt personal and genuine. Kaylee Sternberg was joined onstage by her brother on guitar (Nate Sternberg) and banjoist/pedal steel operator, James Fall.
Bria Salmena’s magnetic performance showcased her talent and stage presence, weaving seamlessly between high-energy anthems, such as “Backs of Birds,” “Rags,” and “Closer to You,” and slower, reflective ballads, including “Radisson,” “Twilight,” and “Water Memory.” The crowd was fully engrossed in the set, responding enthusiastically to her dynamic range and heartfelt delivery. Even with some downtime between songs, if it wasn’t filled with triggered samples, it was filled with friendly back-and-forth banter with the audience. She played Big Dog fan favorites “Hammer” (single review here) and “Stretch the Struggle,” in addition to the single that came out last year, “Bending Over Backwards.” Halfway through the set, meditative track “On The Line” grabbed the crowd and kept them in a trance-like hold until the final song’s release.
With her unique voice and commanding stage presence, Salmena left an impression on those in the room, proving her debut album’s tracks have the vitality to come alive in a live setting. While we occasionally sensed a slight genre-dissonance, it is evident that Bria Salmena has her finger on the intersection of many genres. She leveraged this fluidity as an opportunity to create highs and lows in the set, paving an auditory journey for those willing to immerse themselves. As the set concluded, it was clear Bria Salmena and her band had established a deep connection with her audience – a testament to the emotional power of Big Dog.
Watch the full set from The Casbah below!
Check out the full photo gallery from The Casbah below:
Bria Salmena 2025 Tour Dates
Wed. Apr. 02 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Fri. Apr. 04 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s
Sat. Apr. 05 – San Francisco, CA – Make Out Room
Tue. Apr. 08 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
Wed. Apr. 09 – Portland, OR – Swan Dive
Fri. Apr. 11 – Visilia, CA – Cellar Door
Sat. Apr. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Fri. Apr. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
Sat. Apr. 26 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
Sun. Apr. 27 – New York, NY – Baby’s All Right
Tue. Apr. 29 – Baltimore, ML – Metro Baltimore
Wed. Apr. 30 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
Thu. May 01 – Nashville, TN – The Blue Room
Fri. May 02 – Cincinnati, OH – Southgate House Revival
Sat. May 03 – Chicago, IL – Hideout
Wed. May 07 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
Fri. May 09 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
Mon. May 12 – Manchester, UK – YES
Tue. May 13 – London, UK – The Lexington
Wed. May 14 – Brighton, UK – The Great Escape Festival
Fri. May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – London Calling Festival
Sat. May 17 – Rotterdam, NL – Roodkapje
Mon. May 19 – Paris, FR – La Boule Noire
Tue. May 20 – Köln, DE – Jaki
Thur. May 22 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub
Fri. May 23 – Copenhagen, DK – Loppen
Sat. May 24 – Stockholm, SE – Echo Three Festival
Sun. May 25 – Oslo, NO – Revolver
Tue. May 27 – Hamburg, DE – Häkken
Sat. July 5 – Orillia, ON – Mariposa Folk Festival
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