See Tommy Newport “face to face” in Santa Ana
GRAPHIC BY ALINA PASQUA
Tommy Newport’s celestial sound stretches far past the throes of Wichita, Kansas — Newport’s home planet (or at least the one he remained on the longest). He fuses charismatic croons and light guitar licks familiar to pop-rock with slick funk grooves and springy electronic elements. Newport’s music feels like it’s been everywhere all at once, spanning across trends and time periods.
Five years ago, prior to the release of his rhythmically delicious EP, Ultra Mango, Newport told The Everyday, “"I feel like I have never made the same song or even close twice.… When people ask ‘What is your sound? What is your music?'; honestly, it is always changing, I have no idea about myself, it's what happens on the day. I hope in five years I have a few albums and they are all distinguishable from each other.” Later that year, Newport released another EP, taking a more soulfully expansive direction on Liquid, which featured EARTHGANG on the track, “Stargazer.”
He’s since gone on to release two full albums, and a plethora of singles, as well as lending his talents to 21 Savage’s “red sky” and BigXthaPlug’s “Comes & Goes.” With every project, he’s upheld that intention to reinterpret his own inclinations, from pushing psych-pop to the forefront of 2023’s Glasshead to the vibrant, vintage flair of 2024’s Mister Domino.
His live shows honor an affinity for the unexpected. Whether he’s boogieing down in bolo ties in NYC basements or belting out into all four corners of LA’s famous Fonda Theater, you can trust that Newport knows to make every second on stage count. Newport’s “face to face” summer tour, accompanied by Noah Pope, kicked off in Denver this week. There’s still 11 more chances to see Newport’s show between the Midwest and the West Coast — make sure to catch him before he blasts off into the next realm.
Wanna see Newport at The Observatory in Santa Ana next weekend, Aug. 7? Enter PLEASER’s giveaway for two free tickets on Instagram before Aug. 6 @ 11 a.m. PST.
