Friend of a Friend
Berlin, New York, NY
May 8th, 2025
Friend of a Friend (FOAF), Claire Molek and Jason Savsani’s indie rock band with a uniquely hypnotic and spiritual sound, is on tour following the release of their third studio album, Desire!. They describe their latest album as an, “expansive and layered exploration of yearning, transformation, and connection,” and their show in New York City matched that energy. On May 8th, 2025 the duo took to Berlin, an underground East Village venue known for its intimate setting and moody lighting. Tables for two, each lit with a single candle, lined one side of the stage. The wall above the tables displayed a light projection of color-block silhouettes dancing to the venue’s background music. The other side of the room was an open area for standing and dancing between the stage and the bar.
When FOAF walked on stage, without a word to the crowd they amassed, they dove right into their set. HLS, a song off their sophomore album, kicked off the night. Low synths, rhythmic guitar, and Claire’s ethereal voice echoed through the venue. The lights were kept low, keeping most of the stage dark except for pockets of red light. Claire would hold a note as she sang, swaying as she felt the rhythm from the synths and guitar. In her trance, she would dip into the stage’s red light, illuminating herself to the audience. Jason, maintaining his guitar’s tempo, seemed to keep time as he moved his whole body with the beat, bending at the knees, constantly moving and feeling the music.
The duo quickly made their way to songs on their third album, showcasing gloria, desire, and FTV. For the first half of the show, songs were played one after another with minimal interruption. The audience wasn’t addressed and no distraction from the music was made.
About halfway through the set, FOAF finally addressed the audience, praising the band playing after them and thanking everyone for coming. And after the short break, FOAF jumped right into the next song on the setlist. The set was made up of mostly songs off the new album, perfectly advertising the new work, and keeping a consistent tone through the night.
Friend of a Friend’s performance at Berlin was a seamless translation of Desire!’s moody, immersive sound into a live setting. The duo let their music speak, creating a hypnotic experience that drew the audience inward. The set felt intentional and fluid, offering a live counterpart to the album’s themes of transformation and tension. It was a performance that didn’t just showcase the new material—it invited the crowd to step inside it.
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