Rock Out at Capitol Modern on First Friday

Now is the time to squeeze in some amazing memories before the year comes to an end, and what better way to spend an evening than at Capitol Modern for the final First Friday of 2023? This free event on Dec. 1 features local bands WND WRD and Ivory City. Known for their energetic live performances, both bands are bringing their A game as they take the stage in the outdoor Sculpture Garden. Audience dancing is highly encouraged.

Photo: Courtesy of WND WRD

Formed in 2015, WND WRD is comprised of a trio of friends hailing from, you guessed it, the Windward side of Oahu. These guys have stuck by each other through life’s milestones like high school, college, marriage and everything in between. Frontman Paco Coulson, guitarist Onipa‘a Gaudia and drummer Trevor Ahern create original electro-pop rock songs written “through a nostalgic retro filter,” including love anthems that you can’t help but want to dance and sing along to.

“Music is fun and should always be fun, and is best shared in community with one another,” says Coulson, which is why they are extra stoked to be performing on First Friday. “Live performance really is the culmination of everything we’ve poured ourselves into.”

The band has also been in the writing process for upcoming releases and are exploring new creative territory, touching upon themes like ancestry, experiences as biracial/hapa individuals and being products of immigration. Although the topics are more serious, the band still puts an emphasis on a sense of fun that has remained constant since their days of playing together in a garage in high school.

Coulson says that being able to share their music at a venue like Capitol Modern feels like a rite of passage. “We’re at the big kids’ table this holiday season!”

SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu

Photos: Courtesy of Ivory City

Ivory City began performing live in 2016. Highlights include being the opening act for the Hawai‘i concert dates of legendary English band The Cure and modern rock favorite Young the Giant. Core band members consist of vocalist Josh Sharp and lead guitarist/producer Jon Banquil, along with performing drummer Jared Tomi.

They remain humble even after having shared the stage with international acts. “We’re honestly just excited to be playing at Capitol Modern for the first time,” says Banquil. “We’ve seen videos and of other bands performing there, and we’re just excited to share our music in a space like that.”

Recently, Ivory City has been hard at work with their sound engineer and are planning to release new music in January 2024. Their songs are dreamy but with an edge: Sharp’s voice skillfully captures the agony and ecstasy of love, while Banquil conjures alluring melodies with his versatile guitar playing.

For audience members who have never seen the band perform, “We want people to be inspired when they hear us. We like to be transparent about the fact that when we play, we aim for a cross between expression and musical excellence,” says Banquil. The goal is to “deliver an experience to our listeners that is in ‘togetherness’ with the excitement we’re creating while playing together as a band.”

Are you ready for some incredible synergy? Let WND WRD and Ivory City take you on a musical journey under the stars at Capitol Modern.

First Friday, Dec. 1, 6–9 p.m., free admission, Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

SEE ALSO: Q&A With Karen Ewald, New Executive Director of Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for Capitol Modern and an artist and art educator. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni-Sasaki and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.