STUCK UNDER THEIR ‘LOVESPELL’: MIND’S EYE’S LA HALLOWEEN SHOW AT THE ROXY

November 9, 2026

3–5 minutes

On October 28, 2026, attendees rushed into The Roxy in colorful, creative costumes, buzzing with anticipation for Mind’s Eye’s Halloween show. After supporting Buzzcocks on their North American tour, Mind’s Eye came back to LA for a sold-out, two-night run in West Hollywood. The iconic 200-capacity venue felt much more intimate than their 2025 Halloween show at The Fonda Theater in LA. Nevertheless, the energy in the room was palpable as we waited for the openers to take the stage.

Graphic (L) by Amber Dellacamera and photos by Mila Solenberger

Walking the line between surf-rock and post-punk, night one featured two bands: Camp Blu and DECEITS. Camp Blu was up first, consisting of Miami natives Angelo Ruiz (vocals, rhythm guitar), Daniel Cardona (lead guitar), Frank Ferrer (bass) and Frank Fernandez (drums). Sonically, they favor the dreamy elements of surf-punk: fast picking and heavier reverb. Ruiz wore green face paint and elf ears, pumping up the crowd. Their standout track was “Bloody Kisses,” which fit the event. Resembling early Hot Flash Heat Wave, whom Mind’s Eye previously toured with, they made a great match.

Next up is DECEITS, a Mexican-American darkwave band based in LA. Kevin Moreno (vocals, bass), Sisco Saenz (drums) and Jameson Maeys (live guitar) made up the trio, who took the stage in their monster attire. Moreno greeted the pit periodically, switching between English and Spanish, urging everyone to go out and vote. Their combination of dramatic vocals, romantic lyrics and gothic makeup screams The Cure, especially during “Drowning In An Empty Sea.”

Mind’s Eye was up next! The LA-based alternative band includes singer Vince Lopez, bassist Kelli Kumiko, lead guitarist Andrew Scott, drummer Ben Koller and their newest addition, Milissa (from Goosechase), on rhythm guitar. Through the thin smoke and the audience’s roar, they took the stage in their individual costumes. The bass on “LOVESPELL” vibrated with eerie intensity, and the crowd went wild — making it a perfect opener. The next three-track run is their 2023 singles, “running to find you,” “tunnel of love” and “clevergirl.” These are softer, mid-tempo indie tracks that emphasize vocals and guitar riffs. The live tone was richer than the production on the records, making for a pleasant surprise.

Amongst transitions, Lopez engages in some banter with the fans, asking, “Who is in a relationship? Who just got broken up with? What happened?” This bit is a tradition during shows, and the attendees love engaging with it. Subsequently, “CUT YOU OUT” and “Don’t Talk To Me” are well-loved, igniting the crowd surfers — Lopez even jumped into the pit and lost his mic mid-mosh. Featuring more cut-throat lyrics, punchier basslines, staggered guitar riffs and louder drumming, having these two back-to-back was a great choice.

The final stretch includes “SAMURAI SWORDS,” a slightly vengeful love song that pays homage to Tarantino’s 2003 Kill Bill: Vol. 1. “Misery Christine” was next, a somber-sounding, co-dependency-fueled track that has a haunting disposition. Following suit is their biblically accurate cover of Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy,” which had the crowd jumping.

There were a handful of stand-out moments for me, first being my favorite track, “Lust or Love.” From the recurring, two-layered guitar hook to Lopez’s vocal delivery to the high-energy drumming, it delivers everything and more live. In the chorus, he laments, “You know how I get, I can’t walk away / When it’s us two / Feeling you, feeling you.” This transitions into “Astrology Girl,” a playful call-and-response between Lopez and Kumiko that became a fan favorite. In verse two, Kumiko sings, “You like scary movies where everyone dies / You think your hand would fit well in mine / Well, does it?” “Georgia” was another favorite of mine. Balancing both delicate moments in the verses with a big crescendo into the chorus, the dynamic shifts mimic the ups and downs of infatuation. “It’s so cold, and you’re so bright / I wish we had a bit more time,” Lopez hums softly in verse three.

After witnessing their Halloween show, it’s clear that Mind’s Eye is a complete force of nature. The group feels symbiotic, which did not go unnoticed by those present. Whether you’ve seen Lopez’s eccentric online persona or his commanding stage presence, it’s clear the band doesn’t shy away from connecting with fans in some capacity. At their core, they are better experienced live than on record, with all of their idiosyncrasies and charisma on full display.

Setlist: