Live: K. Flay Brings Mono Live in Stereo to NYC
K.Flay, the alternative rock artist known for hits like “High Enough,” has firmly established herself as one of the most recognizable voices in the alt-music world. Drawing inspiration from artists across genres from rap to hip-hop to rock, Kristine Flaherty, the talented artist behind the moniker, has had several releases showing off her genre-blending mastery.
K. Flay's latest album, emerges after a pivotal incident in 2022. Merely a week after climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the singer woke up to discover permanent hearing loss in her right ear. The setback forced her to relearn her craft from scratch, adapting to a new way of perceiving her music. Rising to the challenge, she approached her fifth album with a renewed sense of purpose, giving birth to MONO.
The album's title reflects her altered auditory perception, symbolizing a new chapter in her life and career. While preserving her trademark rhythmic style and sharp lyricism, MONO stands out as her most guitar-centric work yet, comprising 15 tracks that delve into her evolving musical landscape. The song collection is emotionally raw, sonically piercing, and meticulously crafted.
K. Flay is currently on her MONO Live in Stereo tour in support of the album, crossing the U.S. and Canada. I caught her second sold-out night at NYC's Bowery Ballroom.
Opening the night with his energetic brand of fuzzy rock, Cam Kahin engaged the audience with a dynamic stage presence, culminating in an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Following Kahin's performance, K.Flay dramatically took the stage, embracing a boxing motif complete with a boxing robe, custom shorts emblazoned with her name, and makeup to create a bruised eye effect. MONO's opening track "Are You Serious?" kicked off the night, followed by "Raw Raw."
While focusing on songs from MONO, K. Flay also collaged songs from other albums and hit singles into the setlist. Each song had crowd participation. The fans in the crowd were truly dedicated. Chatting with some before the show, one mentioned that K. Flay had been their top Spotify artist for a couple of years running. Tour tees and hats dotted the venue, making it clear that the crowd wasn't a bunch of casual listeners, but were all in.
One highlight of K.Flay's performance was the interactive programs distributed at the start. Featuring activities like a checklist for concert experiences, the main exercise was a plain card inside to be burned... written on it.
Midway through the show, K. Flay urged everyone to write down something they wanted to let go of, place the cards in the collection box, and she would burn them on Instagram live. "Letting go is one of the hardest things in life but also one of the most important," she noted before leading the crowd in closing their eyes and picturing one thing they wanted to let go of.
Her connection to the crowd is what makes K. Flay an unbelievable performer. Going from roaring energy on "Carsick" to pin-drop silence from everyone on "Hustler," K. Flay was in complete control. Her stage presence and musical prowess underscored her status as a true powerhouse in the industry.
