Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
How A Highland Park Band Got Picked To Open For The Rolling Stones
Vista Kicks are, from left, Trevor Sutton, Derek Thomas, Nolan Le Vine and Sam Plecker. (Courtesy of Vista Kicks)
()
By Andrea Gutierrez with Marley Feuerwerker-Otto
When Highland Park-based Vista Kicks take the stage at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Aug. 18, they'll have the honor of opening for none other than The Rolling Stones.
The band is still in disbelief at how they got the invite to open for the legendary rock band. Guitarist Sam Plecker and singer Derek Thomas, along with bassist Trevor Sutton and Nolan Le Vine on drums, grew up together in Roseville, near Sacramento, and they've been weathering the trials and tribulations of life as musicians ever since.
"For a band like us, we're independent. We're small," Thomas told The Frame. "We've known each other our whole lives. This is beyond our wildest dreams."
Support for LAist comes from
Despite the bigger venue and an illustrious headlining band, the Kicks will still be carrying their own amps like at any other show.
"Even if we wanted to hire people," Thomas said, "we don't know anybody who does stadium level. Not in our Rolodex."
So how did this indie band with the self-described "booty shakin' rock 'n' roll" sound get to open for a rock legend? It began with a Kickstarter.
The band's barely funded campaign allowed them to not only release their album "Twenty Something Nightmare," but it also let them tour the UK with the Kooks in 2018.
It was in London where the Rolling Stones' manager, Joyce Smyth, saw them perform.
"We met her and we were like, 'Wow, like you're actually the manager of the Rolling Stones. That's insane," Thomas said. When Smith told them she liked them and that the Vista Kicks would be considered as an opener for the Rolling Stones' No Filter tour in the U.S., they brushed it off. "And then we just forgot about it."
Support for LAist comes from
Months later, they got a call. "Ronnie Wood heard your music," they remembered hearing of the Rolling Stones guitarist, "and he likes it." They still didn't believe it. "Mick Jagger's heard your music," they joke today, "and doesn't hate it." Still, they didn't think anything would come of it.
It was on a drive home to Roseville that the Vista Kicks' manager called to say they didn't get the Rose Bowl show -- that honor went to Gary Clark Jr. -- but they got the Stones' only other California show instead, in Santa Clara.
After opening for the Stones, the Vista Kicks hope to keep the ball rolling and their spirits up.
"We're going to feel more inspired than ever to make the best music we can," Sutton said, "because we're going to have probably more eyes on us than we've ever had."
Some tickets remain for the Rolling Stones show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on August 18, where the Vista Kicks are openers. They headline their own show at the Teragram Ballroom on August 21.
Editor's note: A version of this story was also on the radio. Listen to it on KPCC's The Frame.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist