BASS GUITAR MUSIC: Pictoria Vark at Nikki Lopez (Thoughts & Photos)
Pictoria Vark’s Nothing Sticks scored a spot on our Favorite Things of 2025 list. I caught the release show for the record, and it made me really appreciate the record even more. On May 1st of this year, Vark released a 3-track live EP, Live at TNK, which was recorded at her first sold-out headline show in Chicago. It’s a great example of exactly why we always try to catch her on tour. So when she brought her 2026 Bass Guitar Music tour to Nikki Lopez in Philly, we had to drop in.
This was actually my first time at Nikki Lopez, and the venue really has a great vibe. It’s small, but it’s in an inviting spot on South Street. The venue is upstairs from the bar, it reminded me of some of my favorite smaller venues, and while that may sound a lot like Johnny Brendas, it had me thinking more about Cameo Gallery, Arlene’s, or Mercury Lounge. Just a great spot to see a show, with great sound and good people. Check it out if you’re in Philadelphia.
Connect with Nikki Lopez: insta
The show kicked off with Moon By Moon, a really rad duo from Philly, described as “Lunar Rock” (what is it with us stumbling upon spacey acts lately??). It fit the bill nicely, great vocals between Gabrielle Franks and Etai Fuchs. Their music is way more than just otherworldly sounds. On their latest record It’s So Nice In Here, Don’t You Think So? “The Eye” is a great example of their spacier side, while “Dogs” is a track that is rooted in a more grounded, gritter tone. Oh, and “Wedding Bands” rips, hard.
Connect with Moon By Moon: insta / bandcamp
Juuulian was next, the project of Philly songwriter & photographer Jay Leiby. The music of Juuulian is quite captivating, lyrically and vocally, it just draws you in. Instrumentally, Leiby admitted their love for open tuning on stage, and that adds another dynamic to their sound. Juuulian’s songs are fairly brief, sometimes shorter than the time it takes Leiby to get tuned up for the next track, but they never lost the audience. Throughout their discography, Juuulian’s recorded music is layered, either with lush harmonies or as full band rockers. But somehow, hearing it pared down to just a singular vocal and guitar made it feel so much larger.
Connect with Juuulian: insta / bandcamp
Then, it was time for Pictoria Vark. And “Bass Guitar Music” is more than just a tagline for a poster, Vark brings bass guitar front and center. Songs like “Sara” are exactly what we mean – Vark’s basswork is intricate, alternating from some great fingerpicking and strummed chords. Vark also introduced “Demarest” from her 2022 record The Parts I Dread as about her growing up in New Jersey, to appreciation from the audience, many of whom came from across the river. (even if Demarest is north of Yonkers…)
Vark also played a pair of songs just on bass and vocals, including a fantastic performance of the last track on Nothing Sticks, “We’re Musicians”. Slowing things down for a moment, it gave her band a chance to take a breather, because what came after. Vark jokingly introduced a song as something she had just written, before launching into “Soak Up The Sun” by Sheryl Crow. Vark always nails covers, whether it’s Crow, The Chicks, or Land of Talk, and this was no exception. Then Vark promised some louder songs and damn did she deliver.
Yeah, it’s BASS. GUITAR. MUSIC. but I have to shout out Jason Ross on guitar. Those louder songs, like “Lucky Superstar” were taken to a whole new level as he shredded. Jacob Getzoff on drums also killed it with a truly dynamic performance.
