Well, if it’s a Ginger Root concert the week of Halloween, then it must be obvious to put on a Mario costume or dress up as a ghost. While waiting in line to receive my press pass, people passing by me were dressed up as Luigi, a giant Pikachu, and even Bob Ross. When I finally made it inside, the atmosphere felt like a mix between a concert and a Halloween block party. People were decked out in everything from 80s aerobics gear to some guy wearing a polo, yet everyone seemed equally pumped to see Cameron Lew—also known as Ginger Root—hit the stage. The place was packed but somehow comfortable, like we were all in on a big inside joke, waiting together.Â
It made sense, too. Ginger Root’s live shows are almost legendary for their creativity. Known for staging each performance like a quirky mini-movie, his shows are more than just music. If you’ve seen his music videos, you’d know what I mean: they’re a blend of 80s commercial nostalgia and cinematic homages to vintage East Asian dramas. With bright colors, dramatic zooms, and old-school visuals, each scene packs a charming sense of humor. His fans have come to expect this playful, old-school look, and he’s only gotten more creative with it over time, making each video feel like flipping through forgotten channels on an old CRT television, and quite literally there happened to be an old CRT television live on stage. The projector was going through old video commercials his team and he recorded like some briefcase expo conference ad being shown. Ginger Root makes you feel like you’re part of a live, retro-inspired show, blending humor, spontaneity, and that unmistakable warm lo-fi & city pop sound.
But before Ginger Root alongside bassist Dylan Hovis & drummer Matt Carney even took the stage, the opener Amaiwana had already set the bar high. Her set was vibrant and lively, bringing a bold splash of color and energy that matched the Halloween spirit in the air. Dressed in an eye-catching outfit that felt like a mix of pop art and retro flair. Amaiwana’s performance alongside the bassist’s wild dancing warmed up the crowd perfectly, leaving everyone hyped and ready for the main event.
Cameron Lew has been a videographer and cinematographer for years even before creating music, at this concert, a designated VHS-style camera guy David Gutel was on stage capturing the entire performance, live-streaming the concert directly to screens visible to the audience. It was like watching a VHS tape come to life, adding that extra layer of authenticity to Ginger Root’s vintage-inspired style, not too far off from people in the audience recording with their 3DS’ & flip phones. The live visuals gave everyone an up-close view of the performance while amplifying the retro 80s vibe I will never shut up about.
Though Dallas was only one of many the stops in his tour for his new album “SHINBANGUMI,” I appreciate the culture Texas can bring out to many artists touring around these parks. Somewhere in the middle Cameron flashed a Buc-ee’s bracelet in which the crowd’s response is what you’d expect it to be, especially in Texas, immediately the crowd began to chant “Buc-ee’s! Buc-ee’s!” When it came time to close the night, Ginger Root chose a song that brought everyone together, his popular track, “Loretta.” The crowd knew every word, and as the opening notes echoed through the venue, you could feel a new surge of energy, balancing the song’s retro groove with a genuine warmth that had everyone swaying.
Interested in seeing more of Cristobal’s photos? You can find his Ginger Root gallery and more here.
