A Valentine's Special with Snail Mail

Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail performing at The Hollywood Palladium, LA by Jacob Alvarez

LARGEST SOLO LA SHOW FOR LINDSEY JORDAN AND CO.

When I started MMC* back in late 2018, I was lucky enough to begin press photography that same year right off the bat. The following year, I started strong with an intimate double-header consisting of indie music’s most promising talents: Parquet Courts with Snail Mail. The show was amazing, with mastermind Lindsey Jordan bringing Lush to life with grace and fragility. Three years later, I’m taking photos of Jordan’s largest headlining gig in LA at the historic Hollywood Palladium. A moment it was indeed.

I was waiting at the box office to be escorted in. I could hear great opener and fellow Matador Records band The Goon Sax opening. It was disheartening to be listening on the outside, but I’ll catch them again, no excuses. Snail Mail is arguably a top ten indie music act of modern music, and the crowd proved so. While waiting to get into the pit, indie prince Mac Demarco pulled up to get his tickets from the box office with girlfriend Kiera and a group of friends. Demarco and Jordan have a great friendship, so it was warming to see musicians supporting their peers. SNL alum and Master of None star Nöel Wells was also in attendance.

Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail performing at The Hollywood Palladium, LA by Jacob Alvarez

I finally made it inside where around 12 photographers awaited their turn to shoot the band. The first six were covering the first three tracks while the second group hopped in for the next three. I happened to fall into group two, so I watched as the lights dimmed and Jordan made her way to the stage. She strutted in a rhinestone cowboy-esque blouse, beginning the night with her latest record’s opening song, “Valentine.” “Why would you wanna erase me,” the crowd sung in unison with Jordan as she repeatedly took walks round the stage, shredding her Fender. She followed up with Valentine cuts “Ben Franklin” and “Glory” as well, leaking an infectious smile as she stared out to the large LA crowd.

Jordan brought fans back to 2018 with “Speaking Terms” from her debut record, Lush. At this point, I was in the pit with a frenzy happening behind me with fans singing along. The fifth track is when things really picked up, as the band played top track “Heat Wave,” the song that everyone fell in love with at its debut. It immediately brought me back to 2019, watching Jordan still finding her outing onstage. Afterwards, the band traded off Lush and Valentine songs, having the crowd dance with Jordan stating, “come on LA!” I was happy to see Snail Mail leave their mark at a venue with so much history in the LA music scene. After tonight, it was clear Jordan has not only found her comfort zone onstage, but embraces and often steps out of it to much admiration. Check out the set list here!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!