With a set consisting of just three singers and a guitar, Tiny Habits delivered a strong performance on the second day of Lollapalooza, their sound powerfully carrying over the surrounding bass from nearby stages.
Cinya Khan, Maya Rae and Judah Mayowa were alone on the BMI stage as they sang songs off their recently-released debut album, songs off an older EP and two different covers.
Starting with “mudroom” and ending with “tiny habits,” the band continued gracefully throughout their set, even as noise from the nearby Bud Light stage reverberated and shook the ground of the trio’s performing area.
The 4:30 p.m. start time at BMI was Tiny Habits’ second performance of the day. Toyota Music Den witnessed their earlier setlist at 2 p.m. — the first one they had ever done at Lollapalooza.
In between performances, The Daily Illini sat down with Tiny Habits, an alternative/indie band which started out of Boston with a “very specific” origin story.
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After confusion on how to use the toilet paper dispensers in the dorm bathrooms at Berklee College, Rae and Khan, who had already been messaging each other online, solidified a friendship through explanation.
“Thank God, that I didn’t know how to use it (the toilet paper roll handle), is the truth,” Rae said.
After receiving a vlogged tutorial with directions from Khan, they went and got ice cream and, later that evening, sang with Mayowa. “The rest is history,” Rae said.
Tiny Habits has gone on tour in North America and Europe, headlining different locations. Coming up, they’re continuing a tour throughout the U.S., Canada and Australia, supporting Vance Joy, Lake Street Drive and Sarah McLachlan.
Excited with the amount of people who came out to their set at BMI, the band sang emotion-filled songs to the audience. They echoed to the crowd a similar feeling they had with their previous performance, Rae saying “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.”
Layers of harmony seemingly floated over Sexyy Red’s bass, which did not go unnoticed by crowd members. Earlier, they mentioned they were also fighting the bass in the Toyota Music Den — a promising difficult task since they had only one instrument and not a full-fledged band.
From beginning to end, the performance saw a genuine, humble and down-to-earth band. The isolated vocals offered a different perspective from the rest of the festival. Switching who sang the melody between and within songs showcased all three singers’ voices, with Khan playing the guitar throughout.
During their cover of “Somewhere Only We Know,” the music paused as an attendee sought medical attention. When they were deemed okay, applause filled the crowd and resurfaced as the trio continued the song.
Applause continued during peak moments of harmony, and again at the end, when they extended thanks to everyone for being here and to Lollapalooza for having them.
The feeling of shock and love for their fans continues to surprise the trio.
“There are people who show up and know the words,” Cinya said.
Surreality hit hard, especially in the beginning of their latter set. “This is a simulation,” Judah said on stage.
