There’s nothing better than a concert practically in my backyard—okay, maybe a 20-minute walk from my apartment, but close enough. On April 4th, Cornerstone brought together some of the best local and regional talent, with three Bay Area-born bands, Trestles, Mom Cars, and Ray and Paul Holmberg, lighting up the stage with surf, indie, and alt-rock music.
Cornerstone’s charm lies in its intimate showroom, welcoming staff, and lively bar space, where the latest sports game is always playing—perfect for a pre-show hangout for both artists and fans. It’s no surprise that so many up-and-coming acts from across the country gravitate to this venue, especially since its shows are typically all-ages. This Friday night felt like a true celebration of the Bay Area, with music lovers coming together to enjoy a mix of unreleased tracks and fan favorites, filling the evening with contagious, youthful energy.
First up was Trestles, a beach rock band from Santa Cruz that captures the essence of growing up along the California coast. Their lyrics paint vivid sunset scenes, while their instrumentals capture the laid-back, free-spirited feeling of summer. With smiles and consistent crowd engagement, they were an excellent band to kick off the concert, performing older tracks like “Rip Curl Sweatshirt” and newer ones like “Tell Me What You Know” from their most recent EP Postcard. As more people entered the venue, Trestles’ calm yet punchy surf-rock sound—think Surf Curse—had the audience moving and nodding along with every beat.
Next, Sacramento’s Mom Cars kept the momentum going, reminding everyone why they’ve been missed during their hiatus. While they didn’t confirm a full return, they did tease a potential new song release. Lead singer and guitarist Brendon Le owned the stage, delivering each guitar strum and leg kick with confidence. I was particularly impressed by their cover of “Cocoon” by Catfish and the Bottlemen. Le’s vocals, combined with Cole Winter’s electrifying guitar riffs and Jacob Thrasher’s intense drumming, created a powerful fusion of sound that filled the room with energy while tugging at my British indie rock-loving heart.
Finally, Ray and Paul Holmberg, a brother duo from Marin County now based in Santa Barbara, stepped into the spotlight. Judging by the crowd’s excited murmurs reminiscing about the band’s last show in San Francisco, it felt like everyone knew them—friends, family, Berkeley locals, and eager fans. The room was packed with familiar faces. Their set featured both released and unreleased tracks, channeling groovy rhythms paired with lyrics that explore resilience, vulnerability, young love, and overthinking conversations. Their honest, personal songwriting is easy to connect with by capturing feelings tied to specific situations, experiences, and relationships.
“Scars,” their latest single released on April 2, 2025, and one of my personal favorites, stayed true to the recorded version while delivering the authenticity that only a live performance can achieve. Their talent as musicians was evident in every song they performed. Drummer Paul Holmberg even shared that his brother, lead singer Ray Holmberg, improvised the lyrics to their unreleased track “Isla Vista Carnival” on the spot, a tribute to their vibrant college town. At one point during their set, Ray encouraged everyone to move closer by jokingly telling us not to be afraid of “cooties.” The playful remark was enough to get people jumping and moshing together in unison.
They closed their set with two songs, “Butterflies” and “Stupid,” from their 2021 self-titled album. “Stupid” served as the perfect upbeat encore after the crowd erupted into chants of “one more song!” With several tours under their belt, including a European run, performances at events like South by Southwest in Austin, and opening for bands like Sun Room, Ray and Paul Holmberg are making a name for themselves. This May, they’re hitting the road with The Moss, so if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, don’t miss your chance to see them live.
Review and photography by Izzy Hory
