Ichiko Aoba performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 23, 2025. Chloe Catajan/STAFF.

OAKLAND, Calif. — It’s spring in the Bay Area and the hills have gone from gold to green. Flora fills the sides of freeways and the bay glistens under the sun a little longer each day. Even among city noise, endless construction and fast-paced lives, nature prevails and offers its beauty to those who take the time to appreciate it.

A similar feeling lives in the music of Ichiko Aoba, inviting listeners to slow down and to take in their surroundings. The Japanese folk singer-songwriter’s work regularly draws inspiration from natural elements at play with the rush of life. There’s the lush imagery of “Asleep Among Endives,” the tropical influences of 2020’s Windswept Adan and, most recently, the deep-sea atmospheres of Luminescent Creatures. Aoba’s current tour celebrates the latter release, so fittingly, her stop at Fox Theater on Wednesday felt like journeying into a serene wonderland.

In flowy garments with a bouquet of flowers in hand, Aoba took the stage to a simple setup. She had a rug laid out with a couple lamps to create a cozy ambience, while her acoustic guitar, keyboard and music stand were at arm’s reach. She kept a focused presence as her feather-light vocals and rippling melodies began to echo across the room. Her set has varied for many of her recent shows, but two familiar favorites tend to lead the way.

Aoba picked up her acoustic guitar and opened with “Terifuri Ame” and “Sagu Palm’s Song.” As she sang the soft serenades, she delivered her signature finger-picking style with grace and precision, alternating between moments of wistfulness and whimsy. She followed with “Fairy of the Shoreline” and then songs off Luminescent Creatures.

Ichiko Aoba performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 23, 2025.

On “aurora,” spiraling lights appeared behind the artist, complementing the song’s winding arrangement. While the studio recording of Luminescent Creatures is rich with sonic textures, from harps and flutes to dissonant vocal looping, Aoba’s live sound was equally compelling. Her vocals remained a delicate force as the pace picked up on “FLAG.” She switched to a keyboard, playing a haunting arrangement for 2023 single “Space Orphans.” Even as her lyrics explored fleeting memories and the ephemeral laws of life, her tender tone brought stillness. It’s an unmistakable quality felt across all of her compositions, like a sign from the universe to take things slow.

Attendees remained silent and tuned in until applauding at the end of each song. Aoba occasionally addressed the crowd in Japanese and in English, thanking fans for their attendance and support.

“I’m so happy to be here in Oakland,” she said quietly before proceeding.

Aoba ended her main set with the flamenco-inspired of “Kikaijikake No Uchuu,” before diving into a bittersweet encore of the playful “Sayonara Penguin” and the beautifully poignant “bouquet.”

Owen Pallett performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 23, 2025.

Canadian singer-songwriter and violinist Owen Pallett kicked off the show with an ambient performance. Standing between two misty spotlights, he created a whimsical atmosphere with his voice, guitar, violin and the magic of live looping.

He warned the audience that his voice might seem hoarse following a 16-hour drive from the previous show. But his sound was divine as soon as he kicked off his performance.

“The looping on this one sounds like an egg rolling down a hill,” Pallett said before debuting a new song. He built layers of sonic textures, occasionally using his violin to add percussion elements—staccato notes paired with delicate chords. Together with his storytelling vocals, everything sounded mystical.

Pallett played a song off his debut album to celebrate its 20th anniversary and reminisced about his first time playing in California at the Great American Music Hall, before a triumphant close to his set.

Follow editor Chloe Catajan at Instagram.com/riannachloe.