Olive Klug :: Syd Matisse
Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco
January 21, 2025
Shot and written by Story DeWeese
Olive Klug took the stage at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, CA on January 21st, 2025 continuing their West Coast Tour. Klug was born in Portland Oregon and more recently has lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Klug enjoys spending time outdoors and supporting their community. Klug is known for their online presence on Instagram and TikTok accounts because they share not only their music, but also their most vulnerable self. This openness online helps others feel a little less lonely in a world that can often feel too big and scary to navigate on oneβs own.
Starting off the evening, Syd Matisse graced the room with brilliant vocals with a strong and full sound. She sang the unreleased song βBrassβ to an audience in silent awe of her exceptional voice. She also spoke of the Lilith Fair, which was a festival of only women artists that started in the late β90s. Matisse handed out free CDs and curated a playlist of some of her favorite inspirational women folk artists. Matisse wrapped up her set with another unreleased song and interacted with the audience. One fan asked, βWhere can we listen to the last one?β to which Matisse replied that it was in the process of being recorded and released. Matisse showed great gratitude and told the audience that the most radical thing to do at a time like this is to support queer artists.
Klug created different themes for specific nights of tour as described in this Instagram Post. In the caption of the post, Klug announced the theme for the San Francisco show is βCAMP KLUG: adult summer camp. Bandanas, vintage baseball caps, hiking boots, ringer tees, friendship bracelets, you know the drill.β Klug sported a cropped Boy Scoutβs top and fans also dressed in their CAMP KLUG gear.
The theme of CAMP KLUG fit perfectly with Klugβs sweet voice and mesmerizing folk sound, which could easily be found in a camp cabin. They played an array of songs from previous albums and sprinkled in many singles as well as some of their all-time favorites. Klug has released many singles throughout their musical career. In 2019, they released their first EP Fire Alarm. In 2023, Klug released their album Donβt You Dare Make Me Jaded. This album started off the set for the evening with βCut the Tiesβ. Next, Klug encouraged dancing and jumping along especially before their hit βComing of Ageβ. Between songs, Klug gave the background story of songs to help paint the full picture for the crowd. They performed singles such as βPrecooked Rice (blurry illusions)β. Klug played guitar, banjo, and used a footpetal to set a beat for the songs. Additionally, Klugβs soft and calming voice spread hope and joy throughout the room.
Klug announced that a third album is coming later this year, likely this spring, but no official date has been announced yet. Klug treated the crowd as if they were close friends mentioning insider updates such as the masters for the third album have just been sent to Klug backstage and they have yet to listen to the new album. This announcement ignited excitement throughout the crowd. Klugβs encore consisted of a song from the album. Klug and the band seemed to have a fun an joyful time on stage together making the type of music they love most.
The connection between Klug and their fans couldnβt be more clear. Fans, known as βKlug Bugsβ, sang and danced along. Klug sat on the edge of the stage and sang directly to a fan in the front row. After the song, Klug reflected that it was a beautiful moment that the two shared. Klug even commented on the importance of community especially within the queer and transgender community. Taking a look at the size of the crowd, Klug mentioned how amazing it was to be in front of this large group because βaccording to the US government, I donβt existβ in reference to the presidential inauguration that took place a day before the concert where Trump claimed there are only two genders. Overall, Klug encouraged the crowd to help, support, and uplift one another by being there for each other no matter what.
