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Written By: Jessica Reed | Photos By: Sorin Diaconescu
Even though NoSo’s debut album has been out for two years, and their most recent release, “Kaitlin,” dropped last year, the LA-based indie artist has been nothing but active both online and in concert in recent months. Signed to Partisan Records, the 27-year-old singer/songwriter gained popularity in late 2022 following their stellar performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. Their recent performance at NextNow Fest, an art and music festival hosted by the University of Maryland, College Park, proved NoSo’s ability to connect with an audience while maintaining remarkable performance quality.
As the opener of the night, NoSo, real name Baekhyun Hwong, was met with a humble crowd; only a few dozen students populated the outdoor venue. However, as their set continued, the crowd thickened; festival goers were drawn outside by NoSo’s impressive guitar playing and soft but emotionally powerful voice. Playing songs like “I Feel You,” “Suburbia,” “Feeling Like a Woman Lately,” and “David,” anyone already familiar with their work was undeniably catered to, while those unfamiliar got a comprehensive taste for their overall discography. Covering deep personal and societal topics — gender dysphoria, misogyny, homosexuality, internalized racism — with impressive subtlety,
NoSo’s performance married funk-guitar with bedroom pop, Fleetwood Mac with Clairo.
NoSo’s performance wasn’t only remarkable for its sound quality, but also because of its total reliance on writer/performer Hwong’s talent alone. “My band couldn’t make it,” said Hwong while gesturing to the empty stage around them. “So I have to hit this box with a drumstick to play the backtracks. It doesn’t work with my hand. It has to be a stick.” Timing a pre-recorded backing track with live playing is difficult enough; hitting the recording box with a drumstick and grabbing your guitar in time is even harder. Still, NoSo managed to give the concert a homemade feel despite the pre-recordings; their natural back-and-forth with the audience quickly created a sense of familiarity. “How are you guys?,” Hwong asked the crowd about halfway through their set. “I’ve just been talking and singing about myself the whole time.” When a few students responded, NoSo quipped, “Well, back to me,” while plucking out the opening riff of their next song. Early in the performance, they thanked their grandmother and cousins for being there, eliciting cheers from their family members and others alike. While not a Maryland native, NoSo certainly endeared themself to the crowd.
As NoSo continues cultivating a casual online presence, their love for the craft seeps through in all they do. Many of their Instagram posts include links to carefully curated Spotify playlists, or explanations of song lyrics while others have simple pictures of them and their friends back home. While alternative and indie-pop enjoyers undoubtedly look forward to future releases, NoSo continues to create a fan space as warm and compelling as their music.
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