P&P Recap: Love LA Live (Tristan, Mikayla Geier, Nicole Han)

Indie pop singer-songwriter Tristan recently headlined Love LA Live, a benefit concert to raise money for LA wildfire relief, with support from Nicole Han and Mikayla Geier. Playlists & Polaroids had the privilege of covering this one-of-a-kind celebration of Los Angeles, and we’re excited to introduce you to each of the artists that played there.

Graphic credits: Karly Ramnani & Megan Chan

Nicole Han

All pictures in the gallery above were taken by Karly Ramnani.

Following in the footsteps of pop icons like Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams, Nicole Han kicked off the show with a simple yet sensational performance. Her dreamy vocals brought her introspective, wistful songwriting to life, allowing fans a glimpse into her mind and heart for the duration of her set. The 23-year-old’s unmatched ability to connect with listeners and tell dynamic stories renders her music perfect for a coming-of-age movie soundtrack, a milestone that the P&P team is surely manifesting for her. She sang several tracks from her most recent EP, Sweet Timing, along with a cover of “pretty isn’t pretty” by Olivia Rodrigo. If you missed her set at Love LA Live, put this playlist on and scroll through our gallery to make it feel like you were there!

Mikayla Geier

All pictures in the gallery above were taken by Karly Ramnani.

Fueled by her training in ballet, Mikayla Geier’s immaculate stage presence captivated us throughout her performance. On top of that, her powerhouse vocals brought an immersive energy to Love LA Live, despite the acoustic nature of this show. Her set included a special stripped back version of the infectious “dance of the trees,” the conversational and vulnerable “i don’t feel safe in my body,” and the folk-inspired “little flower” - after which she handed a flower to one lucky audience member. Additionally, she embraced her Canadian roots with a French cover of “La Vie En Rose.” Listen to these songs and more in this playlist we’ve curated to capture her vibe!

Tristan

All pictures in the gallery above were taken by Karly Ramnani.

Incorporating an electric guitar and production equipment, Tristan’s live shows give fans a glimpse of her creative process in the studio. Her performance at Love LA Live follows her first-ever headlining show at the El Cid, as well as the release of her latest release “DAMN!”. As a reference to the single cover, fans held up apple-shaped signs as she delivered another moving rendition of this cathartic track.

Tristan’s performance of “Los Angeles,” an interlude on her debut EP If The Shoe Fits, Wear It, carried a deeper meaning at Love LA Live. Many Los Angeles residents, including Tristan, moved to the city to chase their dreams, and now we're all doing what we can to give back. The community continues to come together to participate in fundraising and rebuilding efforts, and Love LA Live serves as a beautiful example of that.

Overall, Tristan’s sound bridges the gap between pulsating, processed instrumental tracks and a stripped back, folk-inspired approach. She captures melancholy and loneliness while vividly reflecting on tumultuous relationships in “Last Girl On Earth” and “Let’s Hope I Move On.” In addition to Tristan’s angelic vocals and deliberately crafted soundscapes, her songs resonate through the way she conveys emotions through internal dialogue and anecdotes. On the other hand, she ruthlessly calls out an ex in “Big Baby!” - which she sang with the help of two dedicated fans.

Speaking of Tristan’s fans, they put lots of effort into themed outfits, showing up in the singer’s official merch, handmade shirts containing references to her lyrics, and apple-themed clothing. While several concertgoers were local to Los Angeles, some traveled much longer distances to attend the show. One fan even flew in from Philadelphia to support the up-and-coming bedroom pop star.

Tristan has already stolen our hearts, and we bet it’s only a matter of time before you can say the same! We’re sad Love LA Live is over, but the good news is that her next LA show is approaching quickly. Make sure to catch her opening for Ethan Tasch at the Troubadour on May 15, and check out this playlist we’ve curated in the meantime!