The Ventura Music Hall was alive on January 19th as Atmosphere and Sage Francis brought their Imagine The Fun Tour to town. Mr. Dibbs kicked things off, setting the vibe for what turned out to be an unforgettable night.
Sage Francis: Honest, Raw, and Powerful
Sage Francis came out and flipped the script, opening with “Crack Pipes,” a song he usually saves for the end of his set. It was an unexpected move, but it set the tone perfectly for the raw, emotional journey that followed. His setlist was stacked with some of his best work, including “The Best of Times,” “Escape Artist,” “Slow Down Gandhi,” and “Makeshift Patriot.” At one point, he snuck in “America, Fuck Yeah,” much to the crowd’s delight.
He also took a moment to get real with the audience, sharing a heartfelt anecdote about his journey. He talked about how, when he was younger, he never thought he’d live long enough to get married or have kids. Now, as a husband and father, he joked about maybe not living to see grandkids, but the crowd wasn’t having it — they cheered him on, filling the room with positivity.
Even after all these years, his ability to spit rapid-fire verses with clarity, power, and precision hasn’t skipped a beat. His performance was honest, impressive, and a testament to his growth and resilience. By the time he wrapped up with “Damage,” the crowd was fully locked in and ready for Atmosphere.
Atmosphere: Uplifting and Timeless
When Atmosphere hit the stage, the crowd went absolutely wild, with Slug jumping into “The Arrival,” followed by joking about how cheesy anniversary tours are, but saying he was embracing his inner cheesy. He explained that he couldn’t possibly play their You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having album in its entirety, but he’d be sure to “fondle every single song” on it — and he kept that promise.
The setlist was a perfect mix of old favorites like “Panic Attack,” “Hockey Hair,” “Angelface,” and “Smart Went Crazy.” Between songs, Slug shared personal reflections, cracked jokes, and mused on life in a way that made the whole performance feel deeply personal. Before “The Best Day,” he talked about grief being something that connects all of us and how important it is to honor both grief and joy. “Honor your grief so it doesn’t fucking kill you… and we have to grieve you,” he said, driving the point home. It was heartfelt and powerful, setting the mood perfectly for the song.
Of course, there were plenty of lighter moments too. Slug joked about being the “#1 air piano player” and mentioned how, as a kid, he wanted to grow up to be LL Cool J — but, as he pointed out with a laugh, he did not grow up to be LL Cool J because there is only one LL Cool J. He also pointed out that “God’s Bathroom Floor,” written in 1995, is now old enough to have car insurance.
He made sure to read the room before launching into “Fuck You Lucy,” leading the crowd to raise middle fingers in solidarity. After playing “God Loves Ugly,” he laughed and said he’d made a mistake—maybe not everyone in the room identifies as ugly — then dedicated “Sunshine” to the “five or six beautiful people” in the crowd.
The encore was a real treat. Slug invited Sage Francis back onstage, and the two of them freestyled together, laughing and vibing in a way that felt completely natural. It was one of those rare moments where their connection made the room feel like one big family. Atmosphere closed the night with “Trying to Find a Balance,” and the energy in the venue was electric.
Atmosphere absolutely exudes positivity, leaving everyone in the room feeling lighter and more hopeful by the end of the night. Something we all need in these difficult and uncertain times.
Final Thoughts
This show was amazing, plain and simple. Atmosphere and Sage Francis brought the kind of energy that left everyone walking out with a smile. As my first concert of the year, this one set the bar ridiculously high. It was also my first time covering as well as attending a hip hop show, and it left me wanting more, with full intention of broadening my horizons and coverage.
It was 18 years ago that a friend on the opposite end of the music spectrum introduced me to both Atmosphere and Sage Francis. Covering this show all these years later truly feels like a full circle moment. The night was full of heart, humor, and incredible music — an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
A huge thank you to Atmosphere and Sage Francis for having us out and blessing us with such an unforgettable performance. The energy, the stories, the music — thank you for sharing it all with us and continuing to do so with such undeniable passion.
GALLERY: Atmosphere and Sage Francis at Ventura Music Hall in Ventura, California (January 19, 2025)
