Rising synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay captivated a sold-out audience at Marathon Music Works on Oct. 8, bringing a more experimental sound to a typically country-laden Music City. The Nashville show served as a stop on the duo’s “Imaginal Mystery Tour,” which spans over 40 shows around the globe.
Comprised of lead vocalist Mica Tenenbaum and producer/instrumentalist Matthew Lewin, Magdalena Bay has seen a steady uptick in popularity after the release of their sophomore studio album “Imaginal Disk,” which quickly became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2024. Citing electronic and experimental artists such as Grimes and Charli XCX as inspiration, Magdalena Bay leans into a retro-pop sound characterized by their use of synthesizers and elaborate production, albeit with a touch of progressive rock influence as well.
For their Nashville show, the Miami-based duo filled Marathon Music Works — an old warehouse turned concert venue located a mere 10-minute drive from Vanderbilt’s campus. Arriving a bit early, I could feel the anticipation buzzing from the crowd as we waited for the show to begin, bathed in dim, blue overhead lights that gave the venue an enigmatic atmosphere.
At exactly 8 p.m. CDT, the blue lights transitioned to a spotlight as the show’s opener, Oxis, entered from behind the curtain. Without a word, she began to fiddle with the mixer, slowly building up her first track layer by layer, starting with just the beat and slowly adding instrumental backing. What first appeared to be your typical DJ set transitioned into a full-blown performance as Oxis began layering in her soothing live vocals and playing the bass guitar.
With each song Oxis performed, the crowd became progressively more engaged in her set, garnering cheers and hollers. Her electronic style of music paired perfectly with the venue, which featured flashing colored lights overhead, truly making me forget I was at a concert and making me feel more like I was in a nightclub. She concluded her set with her own remix/cover of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, giving the audience a chance to sing along.
After a brief intermission between acts, Magdalena Bay finally took the stage at 9 p.m. CDT as the black curtains dropped away to reveal a dreamy, fantasy landscape complete with a live band to accompany the duo. The show opened with “She Looked Like Me!” the punchy, percussive first track on “Imaginal Disk.” I was immediately enchanted by Tenenbaum’s unique singing tone and noted how remarkably similar her voice sounded to the studio track.
Throughout the show, the duo switched between downtempo and more explosive tracks, following their opening song with the soft-rock infused “Killing Time.” This transitioned to fan favorite “Image” and lead single “Death & Romance,” which quickly got the crowd singing along. Tenenbaum’s stage presence was undeniable as she twirled and wandered across the stage effortlessly; her vocals never wavered.
Both Tenenbaum and Lewin are classically trained musicians and leveraged this skillset throughout their show. Tenenbaum routinely balanced singing live while playing the synthesizer on stage, while Lewin nailed several guitar solos and even played the keyboard for an interlude. However, the highlight of the night was during their performance of “Secrets” as Tenenbaum reached into a hidden compartment on stage to reveal a keytar that she proceeded to play one-handed, all mid-song. The talent in the room was undeniable as she concluded the song with a frantic keytar solo, perfectly encapsulating the retro sound and visuals of the tour.
For “Imaginal Disk,” the visual concept of the album was always at the forefront. The three music videos released for the album all follow the same narrative, and the duo has announced that there is a full-length film for the album still in the works. Magdalena Bay incorporated these visuals into their tour as well, with Tenenbaum undergoing several costume changes throughout the show, donning outfits recognizable from the album’s music videos. As she performed the stripped-down track “Vampire in the Corner,” she wore a giant sunflower mask before tossing it across the stage in a fit of rage suited for the tone of the song. For her performance of “That’s My Floor,” Tenenbaum briefly left the stage to change into a fluorescent cloak and giant red headpiece identical to the one she wore in the song’s music video. Never one to let their show drag, Lewin occupied the time it took for these costume changes by performing elaborate instrumental interludes on the electric guitar and keyboard, keeping the audience entertained.
The show concluded with Tenenbaum transforming into an angel, complete with costume wings, to perform the ethereal sounding “Angel on a Satellite.” They ended their set with album closer “The Ballad of Matt & Mica” which contains the same melody as “She Looked Like Me!” essentially bringing the whole concert back to the beginning in a full-circle moment. The duo and their band departed the stage briefly before returning for an encore performance that included “The Beginning” and “Dreamcatching” from their debut album, in an ode to their earlier work. They wrapped up the show with a performance of “Second Sleep,” their newest single released just two weeks ago on Sept. 26.
With the continuation of their tour and several festival performances slated for 2025, Magdalena Bay’s fame is only expected to continue rising. With the combination of their unique sound, raw musical talent and imaginative album concepts and visuals, they did not disappoint during their stop right here in Nashville.
