LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS — Doom Flamingo w/ MiniM at The Floridian Social in St. Pete (May 17)

by Christina Wright • May 27, 2024

“8PM SHARP!,” is what we were told, and boy did we show up. We managed to even arrive early for what was to be a hell of a night of great music. Doom Flamingo, based out of Charleston SC, raged in St. Petersburg for the first time at The Floridian Social May 17th. Nestled in the heart of St. Petersburg, The Floridan Social, emits a captivating blend of historic charm and modern elegance. Beautifully restored this 1920s-era building features grandiose and vintage décor. The stage is framed by rich velvet curtains, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and a perfect amount of room on the black and white checkered dance floor. Previously The State Theatre, I was happy to be back at one of my favorite local venues. We were all excited for what was in store.

The supporting act of the evening was St. Pete’s very own jam band, MiniM. Formed in recent years, Minim has quickly established a reputation for their captivating live performances and heady jams. Their ability to seamlessly meld funk, rock and a bit of jamtronica is not to miss. MiniM has played various festivals and venues in the area, including the Sunshine Get Down Music Fest, Gasparilla Music Fest, and Suwannee Hulaween. MiniM kicked off their set with “All About Love,” appropriately. Never have I seen so many friends, family, and groovy people reppin’ MiniM garb and dancing along to all the songs. We started a MiniM hat club, and you’re invited! There were smiles all around as we soaked in their sweet melodic jams. MiniM debuted a new song, “Sally” and played some of our favorites, “Butterfly Pearls” and “Layered Mirrors.” These guys are not to miss! MiniM got us feeling real good to start the night. Now we were ready for some Doom.

Doom Flamingo is self described as a “multi-headed synth rock sexy-tet with a Jekyll and Hyde element to the songwriting.” That could not be more true, and such a great way to describe the emotions and musical waves that ranged throughout their show. From soulful and funky, to raging and metal, Doom Flamingo has it all in store for you. Kanika Moore, lead singer, is a force. She started the set off by letting us know that she was not in a good place before the show, but after some love from her mates, and her mama, she was ready to bring it. Kanika had been to The Floridian previously on a tour with TAUK, and knew that she would be back to St. Pete. This time it was with her band, Doom Flamingo.

The crowd had a cool and excited energy about it when Doom Flamingo took the stage. (Thank goodness for Floridian Social having such a wonderful AC system.) They started with “Along For The Ride” and we buckled up. Kanika had a few belts on and draped over a tutu that was short in the front and long in the back. Like a magical fairy she waved her wand and took the crowd on a journey with “Hot Wheels” and “Blind Spots.” The theme was real, and we were all passengers on this journey with Doom Flamingo and Kanika was driving.

With Ross Bogan on keys, Thomas Kenney on guitar, Sean Bing on drums and Mike Quinn on sax and more synth, this dynamic band creates a genre bending sound like none other. Tim Khayat, their bassist was in the pocket and never stopped grooving. Typically Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee plays the bass with Doom Flamingo but was on tour with Umphrey’s. Tim Khayat did not disappoint and it would have appeared he’d been with this band for years. Everyone was synched up and tuning in to where the next song would take us.

“Love On Hold” was another memorable song, climaxing with Mike Quinn’s sensational sax solo that had Kanika on her knees. Then Mike and I made eye contact and he moved closer to the crowd (and me) as he serenaded us into bliss. I managed to get a clip of this saxy solo. Doom Flamingo ended their first set with high energy and a lot more metal. Kanika had a wardrobe change at some point into a black dress, and “‘Moonlight” turned into an epic rock ballad filled with arpeggios and head banging hard enough to undo Kanika’s space buns and revealing her long blues braids. On her knees again, but this time singing towards Thomas as he was shredding the guitar, Kanika was singing and asking us all, “St. Pete, do you feel it?” Her vocal range and improvisation abilities and range along with the rest of the band had us all feeling it.

Set break was upon us and I had an agenda. Met up with some of our SIGT team and made sure everyone got our Live Music Calendars who wanted them. The Floridian set up chairs and tables outside and it made for a perfect space to take a breather and chat with our friends. Luckily Doom Flamingo didn’t keep us waiting long before starting their next set.

They kicked it off with a love song, “Strangest Places” then into Tears For Fears, “Mad World,” a perfect synthy rock cover for Doom Flamingo to rage out to. All evening, Kanika sprinkled the crowd with her love for St. Pete in between songs. Not sure if she says it to every crowd, but I know it was real. When they played “Long Way Home” the entire crowd was singing along like a call and response choir. The love we had was all mutual. Kanika continued to state that they love St. Pete and this was reiterated by the rest of the band. At some point earlier in the evening I heard what at first I thought was a few people “booing” and thought no way. It wasn’t until the second set that I realized they were yelling “Dooooom,” then I had to join in. We were all doomed.

They closed their set with a new, unreleased song written by Ross, “Measurements.” Kanika’s voice captivated us along with Mike and Ross’ back up vocals. There were points where I felt chills and it wasn’t because of the AC. The way Kanika’s voice echoed with such ease and grace definitely took me back to church. The “woos!” and the “ows!” from the crowd were uncontrollable and only felt natural. The song ended and Doom almost had us thinking they were leaving the stage, but they were going to play one more for us, after letting us know that we are “Groovy as f*ck.”

Doom Flamingo ended their show with “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” by Crowded House. I didn’t dare dream the show was over. The whole crowd was swaying and singing along, yelling, and whistling, and everyone ended the show with, “Dooooooooom.” It was such a fulfilling experience and left everyone feeling a certain type of way. It wasn’t until the next day when I was reminiscing about the energy of the crowd and the band, that my boyfriend compared it to Guitar Hero. From Kanika’s outfit changes to the shredding guitar solos, sax solos, and the synths, to the overenthusiastic crowd. I got the visual. Only, Doom Flamingo had everyone on star power, and this was real, real people, real shredding, and real love for the music and the scene. I am so grateful to have been able to experience this show with all my friends and my Shows I Go To family.

Hope to see y’all at the next show!

Doom Flamingo Live Review 2024 by Christina Wright.
Doom Flamingo Live Concert Photos 2024 by Jacob Hayes.