On Wednesday, August 14th, The Bourbon Room in Hollywood was the epicenter of rock 'n' roll as Music Connection Magazine's "Hollywood's Hottest!" made its highly anticipated debut. With the backing of top club promoters Dirty Mondays and Sound of U Live, the night was dedicated to showcasing L.A.'s most talked-about girl rockers-each ready to take over the industry.
Headlining the night was Zelda, the 21-year-old melodic rocker from Amador Country near Lake Tahoe with 11M social media followers, who stunned the crowd of around 200 with her electrifying red hair and dynamic performance. Fresh off her rise to international fame on America's Got Talent, Zelda's Evanescence-inspired sound struck a chord with the audience. Currently working with the guys who brought you Evanescence, Jay Baumgardner and Ben Moody from NRG Studios, Zelda's upcoming single, "Butterflies," is set for release on Friday, September 13th, via Universal Music Group, and promises to be a game-changer in the alternative rock scene.
But the night wasn't just about Zelda. Shelby Carter, a singer-songwriter, opened the show with something truly unique. Armed with a Gibson 335 electric guitar, Shelby captivated the crowd with a set of originals and a few covers that accommodated the entering audience. But that was only the beginning. Shelby returned at the end of the night with her rock band, delivering a completely different, heavier set that showcased her incredible versatility. Her upcoming single "High Speeds" is one to keep an eye on.
Following Shelby's electric opening set, Alexa Villa took the stage for the longest set of the night-45 minutes of sheer energy and powerhouse vocals. Alexa's performance channeled the intensity of Gaga and the raw power of Ann Wilson. Yet, when she wasn't radiating atomic energy, Alexa sat down at the piano to reveal her skills as a disciplined pianist and guitarist. With her Latina roots and bilingual fluency, Alexa can also deliver mesmerizing rock en Español that truly sets her apart.
Just when the crowd thought things might slow down, Devon Thompson stepped onto the stage and blew everyone away. This power trio, led by Devon, brought a raw, explosive sound that felt like a fusion of Hendrix, Nirvana, and Black Sabbath, with a double shot of X chromosomes from Lzzy Hale and Bonnie Raitt. Devon Thompson has the chops to warm up any crowd for a major artist-and might just steal the show.
Look for upcoming Hollywood's Hottest acts brought you by the same crew. The Bourbon Room has plans to evolve Hollywood's Hottest into a "Latin Music Night" and a "Divas of R&B" evening. If you fit the bill, contact Music Connection Magazine or The Bourbon Room.
