Words and Photos by Fashion Castillo
On February 26, KCRW and Makeout Music’s live music series School Night returned to The Airliner with a lineup featuring Stefan Thev, Pool Girl, and The Undercover Dream Lovers. The evening brought together a steady stream of music lovers throughout the night, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where the focus stayed firmly on the artists and their sound.
Each set brought something different to the stage, yet the lineup felt surprisingly cohesive. Fans rotated in and out of the venue as the night went on, but the energy in the room remained consistent. Friendly, attentive, and eager to experience whatever each artist had to offer.
Stefan Thev opened the evening with a lively and interactive set. Leaning into playful call-and-response moments, he had the crowd singing along and laughing along with him. Friends in the audience cheered him on while inside jokes bounced between the stage and the crowd. Between nearly every song, Thev jokingly reminded everyone that the track was written “about a girl,” a running joke that quickly became part of the set’s charm.
Pool Girl shifted the mood with a dreamy, atmospheric performance. Her set felt weightless, carried by airy vocals and soft, layered instrumentation that seemed to float through the room. The introspective tone created a moment of calm after the high-energy opener, with brief reflections between songs offering glimpses into the stories behind the music.
Closing out the night, The Undercover Dream Lovers delivered a resilient performance. The band used the opportunity to perform their upcoming album Atomic House ahead of its March 20th release date. The set also marked a notable return for the group after some time away from performing, giving the audience an early look at the band’s new sonic direction.
Since its launch in April 2010, School Night has grown into one of Los Angeles’ most respected live music series, serving as a testing ground for emerging artists and a discovery space for audiences and industry insiders alike. Over the years, the stage has hosted early or intimate performances from artists who would go on to define modern pop and indie music—including Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Hozier, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, ODESZA, and Sofi Tukker.
More than a decade later, the series continues to live up to its reputation as a tastemaker event, offering a glimpse of the sounds and artists that could shape the future of music.
