Starling & Cryogeyser in San Antonio, TX
by lorenzo dela Cruz | April 13, 2025
All Photos taken from the Crowd
On a weekend highlighted by big names like NCAA March Madness and artists like Pitbull and Doechii, there was definitely a plethora of choices one could choose from to quench their entertainment appetites. However, just a few miles from the chaos and action, Cryogeyser and Starling graced the Paper Tiger—a relatively small but lively venue in the heart of San Antonio's North Saint Mary's Strip. In an eerie coincidence, a cold front rolled in that evening, almost as a sign of things to come.
The night began with a wallowing performance by Los Angeles-based Starling, whose grunge sound pulled the audience into the enigmatic soundscape that surrounded the chilly night. The hypnotic instrumentals and floating vocals entranced everyone, setting the tone for what was to follow. They performed songs from their EP 2324, such as “Bottlebrush Tree,” which I highly recommend if you're a fan of the grunge/shoegaze sound. Bodies slowly began to warm up, and soon heads were bobbing and limbs were swinging as the band continued their strong performance.
Soon after, the trio Cryogeyser made their way onto the small stage. As they set up, one could feel the energy shift with anticipation. The band opened with “Marie,” a throwback to their debut album from a few years ago. Following up with “Angry” and “Mountain,” they immediately set the tone for the night. The side room was packed to the brim, and fans in the front began belting out lyrics to every word. As the night went on, the crowd swayed side to side, and even tears were shed as Shawn, the lead vocalist, charmed the audience with moving vocals that powered through the speakers and into the hearts of everyone in attendance.
Performing a mix of new songs from their self-titled recent release Cryogeyser, as well as hits from previous albums, the night air was filled with melancholy and a tinge of angst. The band even performed songs requested by the crowd—and a new, unreleased track—both for the first time on this tour. Despite issues with equipment and their monitoring system, the band powered through and gave an amazing performance.
Ending the night with the trio of “Leach,” “Sorry,” and “Hive,” fans didn’t waste any time crowding the stage afterward to show their love and appreciation, as well as to grab a quick signature and photo op with Shawn.
All in all, it was a great performance—an intimate, emotional experience tucked away from the weekend’s chaos, but one that left a lasting impression.
